A personal driver has lodged complaints of assault, torture and illegal detention with the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against three Filipino celebrities — actress Rhian Ramos and former beauty queens Michelle Dee and Samantha Panlilio — after a theft case previously filed against him was dismissed.
The complainant, known by the alias “Totoy”, alleged that the incident occurred on Jan. 17 inside a condominium unit on the 39th floor of a residential building in Makati City. He claimed the alleged abuse followed accusations that he had stolen private or “sensitive” photographs belonging to one of the celebrities.
According to Totoy, he was physically assaulted and tortured by the three women while two male bodyguards were present. He alleged that alcohol was poured over his body and into his eyes, and that he was repeatedly beaten after denying possession of the photographs.
He further claimed that Michelle Dee stripped him and forced his hand inside her shirt, allegedly compelling him to place his hand around her neck. Totoy also alleged that the bodyguards forced him to drink his own urine.
The alleged ordeal drove him to attempt an escape by jumping from the 39th floor. He claimed he managed to hold onto a rope before being rescued and returned to the building by condominium security personnel. Totoy said the incident left him traumatised and suicidal.
Following the incident, Totoy was taken to the Makati Police Station and charged with qualified theft after Dee accused him of stealing an envelope containing sensitive photographs. However, the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office later dismissed the case, ruling that there was no basis for his warrantless arrest. He was released on Jan. 22.
The three celebrities have denied the allegations. Their lawyer, Maggie Abraham-Garduque, said her clients had not yet received a copy of the complaint at the time of reporting and denied claims of illegal detention, stating that Totoy was residing in the condominium as part of his employment.
She added that the last interaction between her clients and Totoy involved the filing of the theft complaint, which she said Totoy had admitted to and partially resolved by returning some items.
Totoy, who is now reportedly under the care of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), has filed formal complaints with the NBI as investigations continue.
