NBI Releases Before and After Footage of Incident Involving Sandro Muhlach
BEFORE AND AFTER – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) released CCTV footage related to the allegations made by Sandro Muhlach against Jojo Nones and Richard “Dode” Cruz, both independent contractors for GMA-7.
The incident allegedly occurred in the early hours of July 21, 2024, in a hotel room where Nones and Cruz were staying. Sandro was seen leaving his hotel room at 4:39 A.M., walking to the hotel where the respondents were located, and entering their hallway at 4:47 A.M. He was still in their room when an attendant delivered drinks at 5:24 A.M. Sandro returned to his hotel lobby at 6:53 A.M.
NBI’s behavioral science division interpreted Sandro’s behavior, noting a significant change after the alleged incident. Agent Zulikha Marie Conales observed that Sandro initially appeared “normal and relaxed” but became “distressed and very anxious” after the encounter, even sitting down suddenly by the elevator, indicative of trauma. Conales concluded that this behavior aligned with the bureau’s findings of a traumatic event.
Sandro testified about the incident during a Senate hearing on August 19, describing the severe trauma he experienced and the difficulty he faced in confiding in both the authorities and his parents. He expressed fear that the incident would affect his career as a GMA artist but remained determined to seek justice. He emphasized the challenges of reporting such incidents, noting that not everyone feels safe doing so.
Nones and Cruz attended the Senate hearings on August 12 and August 19, where they strongly denied the allegations. They claimed that their interaction with Sandro was merely socializing and insisted that Sandro was not coerced into joining them. Despite their denials, Sandro maintained his accusations, leading to charges being filed against the respondents on August 19. The investigation continues, with Nones and Cruz appealing not to be judged prematurely by the public.