Claudine files abuse charges vs Raymart

MANILA, Philippines - Actress Claudine Barretto filed charges yesterday against her estranged husband, Raymart Santiago, accusing him of violating Republic Act 9262 or the law penalizing violence against women and their children.

Barretto arrived at the Marikina justice hall at around 10 a.m. and lodged her complaint with Prosecutor Linda Conos. She was accompanied by her parents, Miguel and Estrella, and lawyers Ferdinand Topacio and Junelet Mataro.

In her 13-page complaint, Barretto said she suffered a vicious cycle of violence, abuse, battery and exploitation during her marriage with Santiago.

“During the years that I have been with him, I have been in a constant fearful state of mind because I was… abused and controlled over a period of time,” she said.

The actress submitted as evidence several pictures as proof that her estranged husband maltreated her. Barretto and Santiago, who were married in 2006, have two children – an adopted daughter, Sabina, nine; and a biological son, Santino, six. They are also fighting in court over the custody of their children.

“Notwithstanding all my horrendous experiences in the hands of my husband, today, I’m breaking my silence,” said Barretto. “I have decided to stop and end the abuse and violence and make my husband criminally and civilly liable for all his actions.”

Barretto said while she is a public figure, this did not stop her husband from physically, sexually, psychologically and economically abusing her.

“I took the big step of stopping and ending the abuses of my husband by filling a criminal complaint against him,” she said.

The actress called on other abused women to break their silence. “End the violence. Our children need us,” she said.

The actress was mobbed by her fans and members of the women’s group Gabriela at the Marikina City prosecutor’s office.