Ex-Sexbomb dancer cries abuse

MANILA, Philippines - A former member of all-female dance group Sexbomb accused her estranged husband and his parents of physical and emotional abuse. 

Former Sexbomb dancer Sugar Mercado-Go filed charges of violation of Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act) against Kristofer Jay Go before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office. 

Also charged were Go’s parents, Peter and Esther, whom Mercado-Go accused of harassment as they supposedly objected to her relationship with their son. 

Mercado-Go was accompanied by lawyer Minerva Lopez and some members of women’s group Gabriela, which provided assistance to the former dancer. 

In her sworn statement, the complainant said her husband subjected her to verbal, emotional and physical harm.

She added that Go also threatened to kill her after she left their house with their two minor children in July. 

She said her parents-in-law also subjected her to emotional abuse, accusing them of harrasment through text messages and social media. 

She also filed a civil case before the Quezon City regional trial court, seeking custody of their children. 

Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus said Mercado-Go should be commended “for being able to gather courage to break free from the usual cycle of violence and powerlessness that prevents Filipinas from escaping the early stages of a domestic (situation) that is growing unsafe for women and their children.” – With Jess Diaz