NBI experts find healing marks on hand of Rhian Ramos’ driver; Michelle Dee says he bruised her

The driver of Rhian Ramos, Totoy (not his real name), returned to the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) Homicide Division, where he was examined following his claim that he escaped Ramos and Michelle Dee's condominium unit by jumping from the unit and hanging onto a rope attached to a gondola. 

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, Totoy allegedly jumped from Dee and Ramos' condo unit on the 39th floor down to the 25th floor in an attempt to flee after hearing that he would be "finished" after being allegedly assaulted by Dee and Ramos' bodyguards. 

In their examination, medical doctors from the NBI found healing marks on Totoy's hand. 

“In the medical examination conducted by our doctors, may nakita talaga sila ng mga healed mark doon sa kamay ni Alias Totoy,” said NBI spokesperson and head agent Palmer Mallari. 

“The reason for this is for us to be able to know kung 'yung healed marks may be compatible to a potential wound or marks incurred by a victim na napahawak doon sa tali,” he added. 

Dee’s blotter

Totoy's escape from the condominium unit was also mentioned in a barangay blotter filed by Dee on January 18, who stated that the incident happened while she was in Iloilo. 

Based on the blotter, she arrived home at around 3 a.m. on January 18 and confronted Totoy regarding the alleged theft. 

When she reportedly told him that she would report him to the police, Totoy allegedly reacted violently, forcefully grabbing her arm, causing bruises.

Aside from bruises, Dee also claimed she sustained scratches and fingernail marks on her right arm. 

In the blotter, Dee said she feared for her life and reputation, stating that she was unsure of what Totoy was capable of doing, especially since he had access to her home. She further claimed that she considered Totoy a threat to her life and family.

The barangay officer who received Dee's blotter said that she was emotional when she reported the incident and was advised to undergo a medical examination to document her injuries.

“Ang pinaka-purpose po niya nung pagpunta dito is magpapa-blotter nga po siya. Meron po siyang pinapakita as a proof pero in-advise ko po siya na magpamedikal po siya,” said Barangay Urdaneta Desk Duty officer Reynan Garcia.

Totoy denies allegation that he hurt Dee

According to Consulta's report, Totoy strongly denied the allegation that he hurt Dee. He instead claimed that upon her return from Iloilo, she allegedly woke him up, kicked him in the head, and ordered him to undress.

“Hindi po 'yan totoo sinasabi niya. Noong umuwi po siya galing Iloilo ng [January 18] ng umaga, ginising niya ako, tinadyakan niya ako sa ulo. Sabi sa akin, 'bangon ka maglaro tayo.' Tapos 'yun, sabi niya, 'maghubad ka.' Ang naghubad sa akin 'yung bodyguard niya kasi hindi ako makahubad kasi sobrang sakit ang katawan ko sa bugbog nila,” he said. 

Totoy further alleged that her bodyguards assisted her, claiming he was already in pain due to an earlier beating.

"Tinanong niya sa akin kung anong gamit mong kamay pangsulat, sabi niya sa akin. Sabi ko sa kanya, kaliwa. Hinawakan niya ‘yong kamay ko, pinasok niya sa tiyan niya kabilaan tapos inangat niya ang kamay ko, nilagay niya sa leeg niya. Dinidikit niya,” he said.  

“Tapos sabi niya, gusto mong maglaro. Sabi ko, wag po ma’am, wag po ma’am. Tapos ididiin niya. Hindi ko naman 'yan masaktan siya kasi bantay-sarado ako sa mga bodyguard niya eh."

The NBI is still waiting for the results of Totoy’s medical certificate, which was processed when he went to the agency. 

The NBI investigating team is also now in possession of photographs of Dee’s bodyguards and personnel who are allegedly involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, GMA Integrated News has obtained CCTV footage of the detention facility of the Makati City Police Station. 

The footage showed Totoy when he was brought in on the evening of January 19. He was also seen leaving the detention facility twice for his inquest on January 21 and his release on January 22. The footage will be turned over by the Makati City Police to the NBI investigating team.

The Makati City Police previously said they are ready to cooperate with any investigation into the alleged assault by two of their police officers. 

“We are actually adhering to the principles of thoroughness. Masaya kami na makikipagtulungan sila. 'Wag po silang mag-alala because we're going to give them a fair treatment,” Garcia said.

Earlier, Ramos and Dee’s camp released a statement, denying Totoy’s allegations. 

Their legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, said that Dee was in Iloilo on January 17 when the alleged mauling happened, citing Dee's travel records and the results of Totoy's inquest medical examination. 

“Physically impossible and also incredible kasi based on the allegation of the driver, nangyari daw ‘yung alleged mauling and illegal detention January 17 to 19. So ‘yun ‘yung mga period na sinabi niya. However, records would show na si Michelle Dee was in Iloilo noong buong araw ng January 17 and she was able to go back to Manila only on January 18,” Abraham-Garduque said.

She also questioned the consistency between Totoy's reported account and the injuries shown in his media interview, claiming the alleged injuries did not match the description of repeated physical assault over three days.

On the allegation of illegal detention, Abraham-Garduque maintained there was no intent to detain, saying the driver was brought to the police station for proper investigation.

The 40-year-old Totoy filed his complaint with the NBI against Ramos and Dee, as well as beauty queen Samantha Panlilio, two of Dee’s bodyguards, and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for alleged illegal detention and assault. 

Totoy claimed that on January 17,  he was forcibly brought to Ramos and Dee’s condo unit, where he was told to admit that he stole an angpao with sensitive pictures from the condo unit.

He alleged that he was locked in the condo unit for three days while reportedly getting assaulted by Dee’s bodyguards and that she and Ramos also beat him up. He claimed that Panlilio also allegedly assaulted him. 

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News