Raymart, Claudine file 'grave threats and slander' raps vs Tulfo brothers

Showbiz couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barreto on Friday filed charges of grave threats and slander against three Tulfo brothers before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Also, Raymart and Claudine asked the court to issue a temporary protection order (TPO) to prevent Erwin, Raffy and Ben Tulfo from harming or even approaching them within 500 meters. On their TV5 program "T3: Kapatid Sagot Kita" last Monday, the Tulfo brothers allegedly threatened to inflict harm on the couple, who figured in a brawl with their elder brother columnist Ramon Tulfo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 last Sunday. In their 18-page petition, Raymart and Claudine said they watched the "T3" program and heard the expletives and serious threats against them.   “Petitioners were shocked and terrified with the threats they [Tulfo brothers] made. They were warned that the Tulfo brothers are influential people but they did not expect that they would threaten them on national television,” the petition stated.   In view of the alleged threats, the TV5 suspended the respondents for three days, but the the Movie and Television Ratings and Classification Board had ordered the suspension of the T3 show for 20-days, a ruling being contested by the TV networks' management. But the The couple stressed that while the MTRCB had taken appropriate action on the threats made by the Tulfo brothers, the move does not erase the possibility that the three would use all their influence to endanger their lives and security.   “On the contrary, due to the public criticisms hurled at respondents and their subsequent suspension from their program, respondents have every reason  to get back at the petitioners and make these threats real,” the petition stated.   The couple further stressed that they are known public figures whose work demands them to appear before the public and interact with their fans most of the time.   “However, due to the  seriousness and gravity of the threats given by the respondents, their [Raymart and Claudine's] movements are now somehow restricted for fear that any time soon, the respondents would get back at them,” the petition stated further.   Also in the same petition, the couple asked the court to issue TPO by officially assigning members of the Philippine National Police-Police Security Protection (PNP-PSPO) to them.   After notice and hearing, the couple also sought for the issuance of writ of amparo ordering  the respondents to cease and desist from further threatening their lives, liberty and security and their family and issue an order making the TPO permanent. — LBG, GMA News