NBI Reviews Driver’s Claims of Assault and Illegal Detention Against Rhian Ramos and Michelle Dee
A 40-year-old man who worked as the driver and personal assistant of actress Rhian Ramos has filed complaints of torture and illegal detention against Ramos, beauty queen-actress Michelle Dee, Samantha Panlilio, two bodyguards, and several police officers. He brought the case to the National Bureau of Investigation with the support of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, claiming that he was abused after being accused of stealing an envelope that allegedly contained private photos.
The driver said he was taken to the condominium unit shared by Ramos and Dee on January 17 and was pressured to admit to the alleged theft, which he denied. He claimed that he was locked inside the unit for three days and repeatedly beaten, kicked, threatened, and humiliated by the bodyguards. He also alleged that Ramos and Dee personally harmed him. Fearing for his life, he attempted to escape by climbing down from the 39th floor and reaching a lower level, but he was caught and brought back to the unit.
On January 19, he was taken to a police station, where a qualified theft case was filed against him. He claimed that he experienced further physical abuse while in police custody. The Makati Prosecutor’s Office later dismissed the theft complaint, and he was released on January 22. After his release, he filed formal complaints, saying that he suffered serious physical and emotional trauma.
The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption supported his decision to seek justice, citing the seriousness of the alleged abuse and detention. The NBI stated that it would review the evidence and pursue charges if the findings justify legal action.
Ramos and Dee, through their lawyer, denied all allegations. Their camp said that no illegal detention occurred because the driver lived in the condominium as part of his job. They added that the last issue between them and the driver involved the theft case, which they claim he admitted and partially settled by returning some items. They believe that the new complaint may be retaliatory. Authorities are now investigating to determine the truth behind the conflicting claims.