Celebrity couple Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz
MANILA – Actress Sunshine Cruz filed a complaint-affidavit before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Tuesday morning in an Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children case against her husband, actor Cesar Montano.
Among the claims the actress made was an alleged incident of rape last May.
The “Dugong Buhay” star recalled that on Mother's Day, May 12, Montano allegedly "barged" into her residence, "where she was alone, and then violently attacked her, employed physical violence and raped" her.
Cruz was accompanied by her legal counsel, Atty. Bonifacio Alentajan, in the filing of the case.
The actress claims Montano has committed -- and still continues to commit -- acts of violence and verbal abuse against her and her three daughters.
Cruz described Montano as "a very domineering, philandering husband that demanded full submission and obedience" from her.
She also detailed a recent affair between her husband and starlet Krista Miller which, she said, had adverse effects on her daughters, who had read the text messages exchanged between Montano and Miller.
Cruz said her daughter also witnessed her father receive a text photo of Miller in a bikini.
In addition to these claims of abuse, Cruz said she has been denied access to her children since July 29, despite her efforts for them to be brought home.
“Bilang tatay siya ng mga anak ko, as much as possible, we want to protect the person. But since the 29th, hindi ko na rin nakita ang mga anak ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganun kaya I decided to do this already,” she said.
Cruz said this was the trigger for her to file this case against her husband.
“Kasi kapag nasa work naman ako, hinahayaan kong kunin niya ang mga bata. Pero hindi na niya sinauli, puro tomorrow, tomorrow. 'Yung tomorrow na 'yun tumagal na nang tumagal hanggang sa I realized na he’s not going to give back my kids,” she said.
Cruz said she is willing to lose everything except her kids.
“Napakahirap sa akin kasi I’ve been a devoted wife and a mom to my children. Sinakripisyo ko nga lahat para sa mga anak ko tapos parang pusa ka na lang na tinanggalan ng mga kuting. Masakit sa akin ang mga nangyayari,” she said.
Cruz has been granted a temporary protection order by the QC RTC weeks ago, prohibiting Montano to come within 300 meters of her.
A petition for a permanent protection order (PPO) is currently being heard at the QC RTC. A second hearing is scheduled on August 15.
Last January, Cruz announced that she has decided to live apart from Montano, her husband of 13 years, for good. This after Montano was romantically linked to Miller, who recently appeared in a film with the 50-year-old actor.
Before the controversial breakup involving Miller, the celebrity couple, by Cruz's admission, had gone through several rough patches due to Montano's questionable relationships with his co-workers. -- Report by Ginger Conejero, ABS-CBN News
