Finally, the reputed drug lord of Western Visayas has been found guilty of drug trafficking and was sentenced to life imprisonment plus a P500,000 fine by Judge Niovady Marin of RTC Aklan. Immediately after the sentencing, police authorities whisked Boy Cuadra to the Kalibo airport to take him to the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa. Local authorities hail his conviction as an important victory in the war against illegal drugs in the region. According to the police, Cuadra’s operations covered Negros Occidental, Bacolod City, Kalibo, Aklan and Boracay Island.
On April 22, 2003, Cuadra was arrested by the Caticlan aviation security while about to transport 11.33 grams of shabu to Bacolod City on a chartered plane. Prior to his arrest in Caticlan, Cuadra had four pending cases, two for illegal drugs possession and the other two for illegal possession of firearms.
There is another interesting side story in this “made-for-movie” court drama. Even while he was in jail pending resolution of his drug case, Boy Cuadra’s name was dragged into the so-called “Kalibo Ati-Atihan Massacre” about two years ago. PO1 Jonathan Moreño, who incidentally was one of Cuadra’s arresting officers at the Caticlan airport, ran amuck during the Ati-Atihan Festival and fired his M16 rifle into a crowd of merrymakers killing five civilians and two of the highest ranking cops in Aklan, PNP Provincial chief Odelardo Magallanes and Kalibo PNP head Manuel Elijay. As the principal witness in the Cuadra case, PO1 Moreño was said to be under heavy pressure by his peers to “give up” the case. Subsequent investigations showed that Moreño run amuck because he suspected that fellow officers were planning to kill him for not “cooperating” in the case. Moreño's suspicions turned into reality when responding police officers shot him dead to prevent him from further harming to the public.
Although the courts took three years to try the case, I am glad to know that there has been a closure to the Boy Cuadra saga. I only hope that this will be the last time the public will be hear ing from this hooligan who has already caused so much suffering and damage to society.
On April 22, 2003, Cuadra was arrested by the Caticlan aviation security while about to transport 11.33 grams of shabu to Bacolod City on a chartered plane. Prior to his arrest in Caticlan, Cuadra had four pending cases, two for illegal drugs possession and the other two for illegal possession of firearms.
There is another interesting side story in this “made-for-movie” court drama. Even while he was in jail pending resolution of his drug case, Boy Cuadra’s name was dragged into the so-called “Kalibo Ati-Atihan Massacre” about two years ago. PO1 Jonathan Moreño, who incidentally was one of Cuadra’s arresting officers at the Caticlan airport, ran amuck during the Ati-Atihan Festival and fired his M16 rifle into a crowd of merrymakers killing five civilians and two of the highest ranking cops in Aklan, PNP Provincial chief Odelardo Magallanes and Kalibo PNP head Manuel Elijay. As the principal witness in the Cuadra case, PO1 Moreño was said to be under heavy pressure by his peers to “give up” the case. Subsequent investigations showed that Moreño run amuck because he suspected that fellow officers were planning to kill him for not “cooperating” in the case. Moreño's suspicions turned into reality when responding police officers shot him dead to prevent him from further harming to the public.
Although the courts took three years to try the case, I am glad to know that there has been a closure to the Boy Cuadra saga. I only hope that this will be the last time the public will be hear ing from this hooligan who has already caused so much suffering and damage to society.
1 comment:
It is still hard to understand the turtle pace of putting criminals to jail (where they belong) and wondering what during the duration of the trial, he could be able to do, to cause more harm. One criminal down doesn't mean much, since drug busines so lucrative, a few would just jump at the vacancy. As long as there are users, there will be drug dealers and vice versa. A sad cycle that can only be minimize, but can never be eradicated.
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