Rhian Ramos, Michelle Dee, Samantha Panlilio sued by ex-driver for assault, illegal detention
The former driver of Rhian Ramos has taken legal action against the actress, as well as beauty queens Michelle Dee and Samantha Panlilio, for allegations of assault and illegal detention.
Known only as Totoy, the driver on Wednesday has filed complaints for slight illegal detention, unlawful arrest, and physical injuries before the Makati Prosecutor’s Office against the trio.
This was over an incident that took place in January, where he was allegedly locked up for three days and tortured inside Dee’s condo for allegedly stealing an angpao that contained sensitive photos belonging to Ramos.
In an interview with the media, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption President Boy Evangelista said that they were able to file the cases as there was now "strong, reasonable certainty of conviction" against the respondents.
"We are very confident na this will be a very strong case because it took the National Bureau of Investigation to collect all the materials for a very strong case that will lead to certainty of conviction," he said.
"Kahit na matagal, almost more than four months, I think the case is airtight, malakas, at very confident kami na ito ay sasampa sa higher court," Evangelista added.
Ramos, Dee, and Panlilio have yet to issue a statement about the complaints. However, Dee's counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, previously disproved Totoy's claims and said that it was "physically impossible" for the beauty queen to torture him, especially she Dee was in Iloilo on the day he said he was detained.
"Physically impossible and also incredible kasi based on the allegation of the driver, nangyari daw ‘yung alleged mauling and illegal detention from Jan. 17 to 19. So ‘yun ‘yung mga period na sinabi niya," the lawyer said. "However, records would show na si Michelle Dee was in Iloilo noong buong araw ng Jan. 17, and she was able to go back to Manila only on Jan. 18."
She further pointed out that the driver's medical examination results do not align with his testimony.
Dee had also filed a qualified theft complaint against Totoy for the angpao he allegedly stole containing ten valuable items, of which nine were already returned.
