Sandro Muhlach reveals he was forced to use illegal drugs before alleged sexual assault
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of rape and sexual assault.
Sandro Muhlach claimed he was forced to use illegal drugs before the alleged sexual assault by GMA independent contractors Jojo Nones and Richard “Dode” Cruz.
The 23-year-old actor virtually attended the fifth hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, where he emotionally recalled his ordeal with Nones and Cruz after the GMA Gala on July 20.
Detailing the incident, Muhlach said when he arrived at the hotel room where the two were checked in, Nones introduced him to Cruz who was very drunk. The former handed Muhlach a glass of wine and a P500 bill, and then put a “white substance” on a hotel table.
“May nilagay na white substance sa table ng hotel, pinagbabasag ng hotel room key card. Tinuruan niya po ako kung paano gamitin ang substance, nauna po silang suminghot ni Dode Cruz sila pong dalawa, then ako po pinasunod nila,” Muhlach recounted.
Muhlach gave additional details during the ordeal but eventually requested to discontinue giving his testimony, saying, “Mr. Chair, sobrang laswa po kasi.”
Senate President Tempore Jinggoy Estrada agreed, before confirming if Nones and Cruz “took turns,” to which Muhlach answered yes.
Estrada asked Nones about Muhlach’s accusation, but the latter invoked his “right to self-incrimination.”
"I would like to invoke my right to self-incrimination, your honor, since the case is already in the DOJ (Department of Justice), we will answer there,” Nones said. He also refused to answer more about the revealed details of the incident, including what was the white substance that they allegedly forced Muhlach to use.
Cruz, meanwhile, did not attend the hearing as his lawyer said he is confined at St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City due to gastrointestinal bleeding.
Estrada said that Nones should remain in Senate custody with his refusal to answer the senator’s questions.
Muhlach has filed a rape complaint against Nones and Cruz before the DOJ on August 19. His lawyer, Atty. Czarina Raz, said that the complaint indicates rape through sexual assault and several acts of lasciviousness.
The two contractors have submitted counter-affidavits and appeared before the NBI with their legal counsel. The DOJ is now reviewing the case. (With reports from Cecille Suerte Felipe)
