MANILA, Philippines - Actress Claudine Barretto sought a temporary protection order against her estranged husband actor Raymart Santiago on Monday.
Barretto filed the request before the Marikina Regional Trial Court seeking to prevent Santiago from approaching her.
Protective orders are usually issued by courts against stalking, harassment, harm to minors or sexual assault as determined by evidence or testimonies.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Claudine's counsel, refused to give details on the matter but said that the court request had been her last resort.
"Matagal na pong nagtiis ang aking kliyente, 2005 pa po ... Ito na lang po ang nakikita niyang paraan upang tumigil na po 'yung mga ginagawa po sa kanya at sa kanyang mga anak," Topacio said.
He added that the actress has been under "intense and tremendous emotional stress" since she sought his legal help last Saturday.
Earlier this month, Barretto confirmed that she and Santiago are no longer living together and attempts to reconcile have not been successful.
"Pumupunta-punta siya sa bahay a few weeks ago, 'til hindi naging maganda yung kinalabasan nun," Barretto said in a television interview last July 8.
She had also claimed that Santiago shot a video of her and their two children following the separation.
"(The video) traumatized me and my children," Claudine said.