School asks court to dismiss civil case

CEBU, Philippines - A private school is asking the court to dismiss the civil case filed by a couple against the institution.

Spouses Raul and Floriza Montuya earlier filed a damage suit against St. Catherine College in Carcar City because the school posted Raul’s photo in the campus with the caption “beware of this person.”

The couple asked the court to order the school to pay them P500,000.

The school admitted posting Raul’s picture but explained that it was to remind their guards not to allow him entry as he has no business inside the school.

The school answered that there was neither maligning nor besmirching of Raul’s reputation as there was no malice on the part of the school when they posted the picture.

It further explained that they are only protecting their students because Raul was allegedly involved in two theft incidents, one in Barangay Perelos on July 20 this year and the second was at the Mother Mary Children School in Poblacion III on August 3 this year.

The school has copy of the police blotter.

It was Floriza who saw the photos of her husband posted in the school premises.

She took photos of it as evidence and wrote to the school to settle the matter.

But the school did not agree to a settlement that prompted the Montuya couple to file a damage suit saying the school has put Raul to shame.— (FREEMAN)