Sunshine files physical abuse complaint vs Cesar

MANILA, Philippines - Sunshine Cruz filed a complaint against estranged husband Cesar Montano for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 9262, also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act.

The complaint was filed at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City on Tuesday.

According to Sunshine's lawyer Bonifacio Alentajan, the Kapamilya actress experienced "psychological, emotional, and financial" abuse from Cesar.

"That is a continuing offense by Cesar against Sunshine," he said. "Hindi niya matiis ang ginagawa ng kalaban niya."

When reporters asked if the abuses Sunshine experienced included physical abuse, Alentajan replied, "Yes."

Sunshine also said she hasn't seen her three children, who are currently under the care of Cesar, since July 29.

"Before that meron nang mga nangyayari, pero bilang tatay siya ng mga anak ko, as much as possible you want to protect the person," the actress told members of the entertainment press when asked why she filed the complaint.

She added: "But since the 29th, hindi ko na nakita ang mga anak ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganoon. That's why I decided to do this already. I just want to see my children and 'yung karapatan ko bilang babae, masyado na tayong natatapakan."

According to earlier reports, Sunshine asked Cesar to return their children to her via a post on the mobile photo sharing service Instagram. She immediately deleted the said post.

Threatening to deprive or depriving a woman of custody to her children is one of the scopes of the Republic Act No. 9262, the lawyer explained.

Sunshine explained that she did not deprive Cesar of their children even though they have been separated.

"Kasi kapag nasa work naman ako, hinahayaan ko na kunin niya ang mga bata. Pero hindi na niya isinauli. Puro tomorrow, tomorrow. Sabi ng mga bata kapag tinatanong ko, 'When are you coming home?' 'Daddy said tomorrow.' Yung tomorrow na iyon, tumagal nang tumagal. Hanggang sa I realized he's not going to give back my kids," she shared.

The actress claimed that Cesar is no longer responding to her attempts to communicate with him.

"I don't go to his house. When I left the house, I promised myself I'm not coming back to that house anymore. But, pinakuha ko sa driver ko sila (children) and di naman pinalabas. Ano gagawin ko, mageeskandalo sa labas?" Sunshine said.

Will Sunshine consider settling with Cesar if he returns their children to her?

"I don't know, I don't know with my lawyer, siguro we have to talk about it. Ang importante sa akin ngayon, makita ko ang mga anak ko," she said.

Alentajan said they have also filed a request for Temporary Protection against Cesar and that the request will be heard on August 15.