Claudine Barretto explains their need for temporary protection order

‘WE’RE SCARED’. Claudine Barretto. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Claudine Barretto stated in a Quezon City court Wednesday reasons why she and her husband, Raymart Santiago, need to be granted of a temporary protection order against the Tulfo brothers who openly threatened them in “T3: Kapatid Sagot Kita”, their late-afternoon public-affairs show on TV5, following the recent airport brawl.

As Barretto sat on the witness stand before Judge Bayani Vargas of Branch 219 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, she said she feels “very scared” after personally hearing the alleged threats of Ben, Raffy and Erwin over their show last May 7, prompting them four days later to file a writ of amparo against the brothers.

“I feel very scared . . . because I know the threats were serious . . . they were angry and I know what they are capable of doing,” she said, adding the Tulfos have bodyguards and even a private army.

Also because of the couple’s fear on the security of their family, Barretto said they seem to be scared of leaving their house, adding that her children cannot go out and play anymore just like how they used to.

“These are not funny threats. Every time my husband goes to taping, dasal ako ng dasal na makauwi s’ya ng maayos dahil sa mga threats na yan (I prayed a lot for him to go home safely and in one piece because I’m so worried of those threats).

“Para na kaming nakakulong sa loob ng bahay dahil wala kaming security na mag po-protekta sa amin (It feels like we’re prisoners in our own home because we have no security escorts to protect us),” she said in tears as she asked for the approval of the protection order that will prevent the Tulfo brothers from coming 500 meters near them, among other requests.

However, even as Attorney Alex Avisado, the lead counsel of the Santiagos, stressed the urgency of the matter, Judge Vargas postponed the hearing until Monday next week.

The legal counsel of Erwin, Attorney Nelson Borja, also said they have not received a copy of the 18-page petition and that his client, along with his brothers, was not informed of the proceeding.

“Ako nga nagbakasali lang kasi (I only took my chances because) someone called me up,” he said, adding the respondents should be given the right to be heard and furnished a copy.

Borja is set to cross examine Barretto on the next hearing.

The turn of events started from the scuffle at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 after radio broadcaster and Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Ramon Tulfo allegedly took photos of Barretto while she was complaining about their lost baggage.

Nobody from both sides has claimed to have thrown the first punch which ended with an injury on Ramon’s eye and a bruise on Barretto’s leg.