Another accused in Vhong case wants to become state witness

nother accused in the beating of comedian and television host hong Navarro wants to turn state witness.

he accused has sent feelers to the Department of Justice DOJ through his parents, a source told The STAR.

Once the arrangements are complete, he will surface and support the testimony of the first state witness, the source said. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had confirmed that one of the accused has turned state witness after spilling the beans on the incident.

She said the accused, whom she did not identify over serious security concerns, is under the custody of DOJ itness ro tection rogram after submitting a sworn affidavit detailing how the incident was planned and carried out.

De Lima said the statement of the wit ness bolstered the findings of the DOJ that there was evident premeditation and conspiracy in the Oplan Bugbog committed against Navarro.

eteran ournalist and Pilipino STAR Ngayon columnist ony alvento helped the witness reach De Lima.

he testimony is e plosive. he details where, what time and when the planning of the setting up of hong Navarro were given to me. he place where they had dinner was also revealed, he said.

he aguig egional rial ourt Branch earlier issued an arrest warrant for the non bailable case of serious illegal detention against businessman edric Lee, model Deniece orne o, mi ed mar tial artist immer a , erdinand uer rero, and Jed ernande .

he court did not include Lee s sister Bernice and J alma, despite their inclu sion in the charge sheet filed by the DOJ.

Manhunt for Lee

he manhunt for the suspects is fo cused on Lee, an official of the National Bureau of Investigation NBI said.

e is the head of the group. e be lieve that when the head falls, everything will follow, said lfren eneses, head of the NBI in etro anila.

NBI agents are scouring at least two areas outside of etro anila as Lee s possible hideouts. eneses did not elaborate to avoid eopardi ing the operation.

eneses, meanwhile, downplayed te t messages accusing an NBI official in the Bicol region of coddling Lee.

e are also receiving such te t mes sages, but there s no truth to that, he said.

he NBI has alerted all seaports and airports in the country to prevent the re spondents escape. With Aie Balagtas

See, Mike Frialde