Raymart, Claudine: Tulfo did not play hero

MANILA, Philippines - Couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto alleged yesterday that columnist Ramon Tulfo cannot claim to have played the hero to save the “oppressed” Cebu Pacific ground personnel from verbal abuse, but instead secretly took photos – a move that led to the airport brawl last May 6.

“If it was true that he was impelled by such a noble intention, then he should have immediately and fearlessly intervened in order to pacify… Claudine and shield the Cebu Pacific ground personnel from further verbal abuse,” the couple said in their 29-page counter-affidavit to the physical injuries and grave coercion charges Tulfo filed before the Pasay City prosecutor’s office.

The couple issued their counter-affidavit even as Tulfo formally filed a frustrated homicide charge against Santiago before the city prosecutor’s office. The new charge was filed during a preliminary investigation conducted by Assistant City Prosecutor Orlando Mariano.

Injuries questioned

The couple also disputed Tulfo’s claims that he suffered dizziness and serious injuries, noting that the medical records he submitted to back up his statements show that there was no dizziness, no cranial nerve deficits, no motor or sensory deficits.

They said Tulfo, “who claimed to have been seriously injured,” was seen live on television shows “The Buzz,” “Gandang Gabi Vice” and “Kris TV.” They pointed out that “in these TV shows, he was seen perfectly healthy, even dancing with Vice Ganda and showing his aikido moves, without any signs of injury or discomfort.”

In another interview a week after the brawl, Tulfo said he had downed two or three men who were punching, kicking and grabbing him. The interview, uploaded on YouTube, showed Tulfo “proudly kicking high, demonstrating his capability and skills as an aikido expert, and even said that everything at the time was simply ‘play’ to him,” according to the couple.

They also said Tulfo admitted in a television interview that he was the first one to push Santiago with an open palm. “He who starts a fight and loses has no right to complain,” the couple said.

Clear intent to kill

Tulfo’s lawyer, Vitaliano Aguirre, said they filed the amended frustrated homicide complaint against Santiago because it is very clear in the videos taken of the brawl that they were out to kill the columnist.

Aguirre said Eduardo Atilano allegedly tried to choke Tulfo during the scuffle, and that they have witnesses who said that Santiago tried to grab a security guard’s gun.

Mariano heard Monday the cases of grave coercion, grave oral defamation and physical injuries filed by Tulfo against the couple.

The couple has filed countercharges of physical injuries and child abuse before Assistant City Prosecutor Manuel Lotero, saying Tulfo inflicted emotional and psychological trauma on their children, aged eight and five.