Stop the drama, urges the Subic business community

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — "Settle amicably."

The influential Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) aired this appeal yesterday to Curtis Perry, an aviation consultant and trustee of Brent International School here, and Eduardo Prieto, a parent of two Brent grade schoolers, who figured in fisticuffs outside a local pub last Dec. 17.

The incident has led Prieto to file a case of attempted homicide against Perry with the Olongapo City prosecutor’s office, and his supporters in the Subic community to circulate a petition seeking Perry’s removal from the Brent board of trustees.

Prieto claimed that Perry assaulted him outside the Vasco’s Nautical Pub, a known watering hole of foreign expatriates and Subic residents, on the night of Dec. 17. Perry, for his part, claimed it was Prieto who attacked him first.

Jose Saddul Jr., SBFCC president, said Perry and Prieto "should consider settling their dispute out of court."

Sources who know Perry and Prieto said they quarreled over supposedly simple school matters "which could have been settled within the Brent-Subic school community."

The Brent board of trustees has opted to stop issuing statements to the media while its members are reportedly quietly working out a solution to the matter.

"We would like to tell them (Perry and Prieto) to settle amicably because their fight may indirectly affect the quality of life in Subic that all of us are enjoying," Saddul said.

He said he understands the issue "as a case of two strong personalities clashing against each other which developed into what should not be a problem."

"It’s possible for two individuals to understand each other without necessarily changing their attitudes. Pasensya lang talaga (They just have to be tolerant)," he said.

According to Saddul, some SBFCC members have expressed apprehension that if things would not be settled, "the situation will get out of proportion and has a potential of destroying friendships and business relations."

He appealed to both supporters of Prieto and Perry "to help cool things down by not adding fuel to an already very fiery situation."

"Probably, it would put down the whole Subic community if we support one side. Clearly, there are two sides here, that of Prieto’s and that of Perry’s. Whether we like it or not, the dispute between them has also involved the people around them because they have friends. Nahati tuloy ang komunidad (The community got divided)," he said.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Felicito Payumo Jr. is reportedly himself worried about the ongoing drama. He was quoted as saying, "I wish the problem will be resolved soon as we are doing our best to enhance the quality of life for all of those who live and work here."

Saddul said he agrees with Payumo that "there’s a lot of things going for Subic" which he describes as the "best place to live in the country."

"The chamber acknowledges SBMA’s efforts in improving the quality of life in the freeport. It is, no doubt, still the best around the country. It’s already okay so if we can improve it further, then it will be excellent," he said.

He added that even out-of-towners like residing here "because of the peace and order situation and the existing marriage of business and clean environment."

"Proof of that is well-to-do families from Manila and other regions have made Subic their second home. That should be good for the community and the business climate. But when (a simple fight) starts affecting business, syempre, we’ll try to interfere by convincing both parties to (reach an) amicable settlement so it (doesn’t get out in) newspapers. Who likes this kind of publicity?" Saddul added.

The 128-member SBFCC has been known to put its foot down on business matters and national interests. During the Payu-mo-Gordon impasse over the SBMA chairmanship, the group played a big role in negotiating an orderly turnover.

Saddul, however, said the incident between Perry and Prieto "is such a small matter to affect business," adding that real investors "continue to get on with their conduct of business."