Monday, June 16, 2008 Court prevents American from leaving country
THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a hold departure order against an American national accused of beating up his Filipina girlfriend.
The American is a call center operations manager in Cebu.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation were furnished copies of the order signed by RTC Branch 14 Judge Raphael Yrastorza.
The order came after the court released a temporary protection order directing the American to stay at least 200 meters away from Julie (real name withheld) and their two-year-old son.
Julie also asked for the issuance of a permanent protection order against him.
Not spared
She said David (real name withheld) almost beat her to death last May 8 after she confronted him over pictures she found of him with another woman.
Their two-year-old son was allegedly not spared from the beating.
Julie said David mauled her so badly that she fainted and spent two weeks, five days of which she was in a coma, in the hospital.
During her hospital stay, Julie said her maid and babysitter told her that David brought the woman she saw on the pictures to their home in Beverly Hills, barangay Lahug.
When she was released from the hospital on May 23, David allegedly tried to keep her and their son out of the house.
Threat
Julie sought the help of her brother Andy, who ended up being threatened with death by the American.
Aside from a complaint for violating Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, a separate complaint for grave threats was also filed against David before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
Julie likewise filed another complaint for damages.
She asked the court to award her half of David’s assets and investments, P100,000 in damages and litigation expenses, and a monthly support of at least P100,000. (JGA)
