Chavit Singson to file theft charges vs. ex-partner
Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit" Singson said Friday that he will file theft charges against his former live-in partner who earlier accused him of physical abuse. Singson said in an interview aired over GMA 7 that he will charge Rachel Tiongson with theft for stealing some jewelry from their home in Metro Manila. In a separate interview with GMANews’ 24 Oras, Tiongson said she sought protection from the courts after she saw Singson’s outrage last Saturday. She said Singson is capable of killing her. “Alam ko po talaga, kaya niya pong magawa (I know he is capable of doing that)," Tiongson said when asked by news anchor Mel Tiangco if she believes that Singson could really kill her. Tiongson said she was “traumatized" with how Singson vented his anger. She accused the national security official of punching her and using a whip to beat her and the man she was with. “Nakaligtas nga lang po ako ‘dun eh (I was only able to escape that)."
Singson earlier said that Tiongson and her alleged paramour should be thankful that he spared their lives despite what they did. "Mabait tayo, di ko sila pinatay. Huling-huli ko nga (I am kind. I didn’t kill them even though I caught them in the act)," he added. “Aside sa mga alahas niya na naibigay ko, kinuhanan niya rin ako ng sarili kong alahas. Meron akong hinahanap kasi na alahas ko na nawawala, matagal na. Nakita ko na nakuha niya (Aside from the jewelry that I gave her, she also took some of my own jewelry. I have long been searching for missing pieces of jewelry, only to find out she had taken them)," he said. Singson also said he was surprised that Tiongson filed charges against him, since his live-in partner has been sending text messages to him asking for forgiveness. Tiongson on Wednesday filed a petition for a temporary protection order with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court with a plea to order Singson not to get near within a kilometer distance. Fight for custody Singson also said that he will not turn over his five children with Tiongson to his ex-partner. He warned that he would not provide child support if ever Tiongson wins custody over them. “Hindi ko susuportahan. Ano ‘yan, susuportahan ko para ipanlalaki lang niya? (I won’t give any support. What, me giving money for her to spend on other men?)" Pictures of Tiongson beaten black and blue by the President’s No. 2 national security adviser has spurred women lawmakers to prod Malacaňang to take action, saying what happened was “a classic case of violence against women." Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros said the Palace should not only slap Singson with preventive suspension but also should also extend its support to the victim. Gabriela Women's Party-list Rep. Liza Maza wanted Singson be held criminally liable. "We expect from our public officials high moral standards especially in relation to adhering to laws," she added. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, however, could only "advise" Singson to "behave" and passed on the responsibility to National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales to discipline his subordinate. "We advise him to behave accordingly as an upright citizen and submit himself to due process of law," Remonde said. Remonde said President Arroyo herself has not talked about the issue so far, but assured that the Palace will be awaiting developments as Tiongson has already filed a complaint in court. Pictures In the interview, Tiongson also accused Singson of lying for claiming that he caught her in bed with her alleged paramour. He said all the pictures that Singson threatened to use as evidence were taken after he tortured them.