Raymart, Claudine oppose Tulfo's motion to subpoena NAIA personnel

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrity couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto yesterday opposed a petition filed by columnist Ramon Tulfo to subpoena 10 personnel of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to testify in the controversial brawl at the NAIA Terminal 2 last May 5.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Manuel Loteyro said the couple is against the issuance of a subpoena to compel witnesses to testify in the preliminary investigation on the charges of child abuse and physical injuries they filed against Tulfo before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.

The columnist lodged a counter-charge of frustrated murder and grave coercion against Raymart and Claudine before Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Orlando Mariano. 

Tulfo’s lawyers asked the court to subpoena the airport personnel, including a Customs policeman, who took a video that was uploaded on YouTube.

The camp of Tulfo claimed that Raymart’s group intended to kill him after one of their companions, Eduardo Atilano, tried to choke him during the scuffle at the airport.

Tulfo’s lawyers said they have witnesses who can prove that Raymart tried to grab the firearm of an airport security guard to shoot him.

Loteyro set the hearing on July 2.