Cornejo, Raz now in BuCor custody

Model Deniece Cornejo and mixed martial arts practitioner Simeon Raz are in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections following their conviction for the illegal detention for ransom of actor-host Vhong Navarro, BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. said yesterday.

- NILLICENT BAUTISTA

In a statement, Catapang said Cornejo and Raz were admitted to the Reception and Diagnostic Centers (RDCs) of the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong and the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa, respectively.

As a matter of procedure, newly committed inmates are received at the RDC for an initial interview and checkup, Catapang explained.

“He or she will be placed in the quarantine cell for a period of five days with no visiting privileges, followed by diagnostic procedures that include medical, sociological, psychological, educational and classification processes for 55 days,” Catapang said.

Both Cornejo and Raz, along with businessman Cedric Lee and his business partner Ferdinand Guerrero, were earlier sentenced by a Taguig Court to life in prison in connection with the case filed by Navarro.

Cornejo and Raz, who were present in court, were immediately detained and committed.