Here’s Ramon “Mon” Tulfo‘s side of the story:
“Nasa arrival area na ako, palabas na ako ng arrival area tapos may napansin akong magandang babae. Namumukhaan ko, maganda siya eh. Hindi ko naman siya nakilala. Pinagalitan ang ground stewardess ng Cebu Pacific,” he said.
Tulfo said he later on recognized that it was Santiago’s wife, actress Claudine Barretto, who was scolding the airport staff.
“Nag-sympathize ako sa kanya dahil sabi ko, tingnan mo nga naman itong Cebu Pacific bakit naman ganooon. Marami na kasing insidente itong Cebu Pacific naging inefficient sa cargo ng mga pasahero. Kaya sabi ko buti nga,” he said.
Tulfo said he then decided to take a photo of Barretto through his camera when he heard that Barretto was already cursing the stewardess.
“Noong nakita ko na minumura na niya ang pobreng babae na mangiyak-ngiyak, ipatatanggal daw niya sa trabaho, kinunan ko ng litrato ng cellphone. Gusto ko sanang sabihin na ‘Cool ka lang, iyan namang babae, wala namang kasalanang personal sa iyo bakit mo naman minumura,’” he said.
Tulfo, however, said he was caught off guard after Santiago approached him and was forcefully trying to grab his cellphone.
“Noong nilagay ko ang cellphone ko sa vest ko… nakita nung si Raymart Santiago. Pilit niyang kinukuha ang cellphone ko. Sabi niya, ‘Bakit ka kumukuha?’ Magpapakilala sana ako kaya lang nung pilit na niyang kinukuha ang cellphone ko, tinulak ko siya sabi ko wala kang karapatan na kunin ang cellphone ko. Doon nag-umpisa ang kaguluhan,” he said.
Tulfo said several people approached him and a punch landed on his face that’s why he decided to fight back.
“Habang sinasangga ko ang mga suntok nila dahil marami sila, minumura pa ako. Ako na ang binalingan ni Claudine Barretto ng galit niya. Minumura mura na ako. Tinamaan ako eh. Noong tinamaan ako sa may mata, nagdilim na ang paningin ko,” he said.
Tulfo said it took a while before airport authorities responded to stop the brawl. Airport authorities are currently conducting an investigation over the incident.
