CIS ‘harassed’ us - witness

CEBU, Philippines - In order to stop the officials of the Cebu International School (CIS) from harassing their witnesses, spouses David and Jacqueline Gullas-Weckman sought for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the defendants.

The couple filed a civil case for quasi delict with a prayer for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and TRO against the school, its superintendent Diedre Fisher and the board of trustees.

They presented a grade 8 student of CIS, a resident of Cebu City.

The minor witness narrated that on October 5, 2012 defendant Fisher visited their room and called him.

He alleged that Fisher harassed him.

He added the other two witnesses, also a minor were practically harassed by Fisher.

 He said they suffered trauma. In fact, one of the witnesses manifested that she will no longer testify against the CIS.

The minor witness said he informed his father, Atty. Winston Garcia, the brother of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, about the incident.

Garcia corroborated the testimony of his son. He said he had a hard time convincing his son to testify against the school.

He was told by his son if he will testify in court, Fisher might get mad at him again.

Garcia said in relation to the alleged harassment, he wrote a letter calling the attention of Fisher.

However, he said, there was no reply yet.

Lawyer Teodoro Almase said they are seeking for the issuance of a TRO to protect the children from harassment.

For the defense, lawyers Edmund Villanueva and Negley Villanueva said they will be presenting their witnesses in the second week of January next year.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Jacqueline, the mother of one of the victims, Kyle, 14, a Grade 8 student.

Kyle was one of those who attended the school-organized field trip to the former US Naval Base in Subic, Bataan, and former US Air Base in Clark, Pampanga.

Jacqueline said her son died due to the alleged negligence of the respondents of not guiding their students and not giving warning of possible danger.

Her son died after he drowned in the Kanawan falls in Bataan on September 12 this year. – MBG (FREEMAN)