Cesar: No rape, I was invited

MANILA, Philippines - Actor-director Cesar Montano has denied the rape allegations hurled against him by his estranged wife, actress Sunshine Cruz.

In a phone interview with The STAR, Montano’s counsel, Joel Ferrer, said his client told him that contrary to Cruz’s claim, it was she who invited the actor to her house last May 28, when the alleged physical abuse and rape occurred.

“There was no sexual assault,” said Ferrer. “We deny it. It’s not true... he did not force her to do anything.”

Ferrer said Montano did not commit any of Cruz’s allegations. He said Cruz’s camp was simply “forum shopping” when they filed the criminal complaint against his client.

Cruz filed a complaint before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday, alleging that Montano barged into her house while she was alone and “attacked her, employed physical harm, and raped her.” She charged Montano with violation of Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence against Women and Children’s Act of 2004. Cruz also accused Montano of committing violent acts, including an incident in which he allegedly slapped her on the face and hit her head on a concrete wall. She also accused him of threatening her with physical harm, obscene accusations and grave defamation.

Cruz earlier asked a Quezon City court for a temporary protection order against Montano, which was reportedly denied. The court is hearing the actress’ request for a permanent protection order. A separate Quezon City court is also hearing the petition for habeas corpus filed by Cruz seeking the return of her three children to her custody. In her complaint, Cruz said that Montano “deceitfully” took custody of their children on July 29 and refused to return them to her.

“(Montano) deliberately and forcibly refused to release the minor children to the complainant, and continues to deny complainant the rightful custody and access to her three minor daughters,” read her complaint. She added that the actor-director deprived her and their children the “much needed support, shelter, and means of transportation, considering that the minor children are already of school age.” But Ferrer said Montano is not refusing to return the children to Cruz.

“She never went to Montano’s house to fetch their children,” he said.

The lawyer added that the children prefer living with Montano, saying his house was more conducive for their development.