Raps filed vs American trustee of Brent-Subic over pub maul

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Bloody fisticuffs between an American businessman-trustee of the Brent International School here and a resident of Subic Homes are threatening to divide the solid school community.

The fisticuffs between Curtis Jay Perry, 51, an aviation consultant, and Eduardo Prieto, 38, happened at about 11 p.m. last Dec. 17 at the Vasco’s Nautical Pub.

The incident has reached the Olongapo City prosecutor’s office, with Prieto filing a case of attempted homicide against Perry.

Perry is a member of the board of trustees and a wrestling coach of the Brent International School where Prieto’s two girls are grade schoolers.

According to documents obtained from the city prosecutor’s office, Prieto went to Vasco’s Nautical Pub on the night of Dec. 17 to look for its Australian owner, Brian Homann, a close friend of his.

There, Prieto saw Perry and his expatriate-friends — Americans Steven Ouellet and Donald Hill, both Federal Express pilots, and Briton Andy Wrighttown, captain of Turondot, a boat based at the Subic Bay Yacht Club — who were drinking near the entrance.

Words were exchanged between the two men. In his affidavit, Prieto said Perry, who stands six feet two inches and is muscular, asked him to step outside the pub and there allegedly "assaulted" him. A Brent parent described Prieto as overweight.

Witnesses, in their affidavits, said the beating took place while Ouellet, Hill and Wrighttown allegedly watched. Wrighttown, they said, stepped in to restrain Perry.

Perry’s group reportedly went back to the pub for another drink. Prieto, although bloodied, managed to bring himself to the James Gordon Memorial Hospital where he was treated overnight for his injuries.

Sources at the Brent International School said the animosity between Perry and Prieto stemmed from their conflicting views on certain school issues.

Another parent, who requested anonymity, said Prieto’s wife Joanne used to teach at Brent but resigned a few months ago although the Prietos, who reside at Subic Homes in Barangay Binictican, still send their children there.

"In a recent PTA (Parents-Teachers Association) meeting, we remember her questioning the school administration about the use of some books," the parent told The STAR.

Perry, in his sworn affidavit, however, said Prieto was angry about a letter from the board of Brent International School to his wife.

"When he (Prieto) entered Vasco’s, he first verbally and physically assaulted me and after sustaining several blows from him, I defended myself until a third party intervened and separated us," Perry said. He, however, was allegedly unable to produce a medico-legal certificate.

Injuries

A medico-legal certificate and photos showed that Prieto suffered a number of contusions and abrasions on the face and body, including hemorrhage of the anterior eyeball and facial lacerated wounds.

Doctors at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital required him to undergo medical attention for two weeks.

Perry, for his part, has filed a complaint with the law enforcement department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Freeport police said he is expected to lodge a counter-complaint against Prieto with the courts soon.

For his part, SBMA Chairman Felicito Payumo said, "Both men are my friends and my investigation has brought out conflicting versions of the incident. If they can’t settle it amicably among themselves, then let the courts decide the matter."

In a press statement, the board of trustees of the Brent International School said the incident happened outside of the school and that it considers it "a personal dispute between two private individuals who coincidentally happen to be connected to the school."

Sources, however, claimed that affidavits of Perry and Ouellet have been shown by the board of trustees to faculty members and parents in the community. Prieto’s was reportedly never questioned by the school.

Leo Larkin, chairman of the Brent International School Subic board of trustees, has reportedly confirmed that Perry remains a member of the board and has not been asked to leave.

The Brent International School, however, said that it "is nonetheless very concerned about the implications that the incident may create relative to the reputation, interests and integrity of the school."

Concerned parents and Subic residents have circulated a petition asking for the removal of Perry from the school’s board. They have gathered at least 200 signatures.

Charges are reportedly also being considered against Ouellet and Hill.