Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Suspected drug dealer gets life term
By Ruby P. Silubrico
ILOILO CITY -- A suspected big-time drug dealer in Western Visayas was convicted Tuesday of illegal drugs charges and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Jose Kim "Boy" Cuadra, 48, was found guilty of violating Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 or for illegal drugs possession three years after a case was filed against him before the Regional Trial Court of Aklan.
"My fellowmen, know who Boy Cuadra is," Cuadra said after the promulgation of Judge Nuevady Marin's decision convicting him of the charges and sentencing him to life imprisonment.
Cuadra was arrested on April 22, 2003 while he was about to enter the departure area of the Caticlan Airport in Aklan together with his bodyguards Reymundo Morales, 46, and Safero Mendoza, 49, both of Bacolod City.
Based on the affidavit of arresting officers PO1 Gilbert Diaz and the late PO1 Jonathan Moreno, who were assigned at the Caticlan Airport, they received information that Cuadra and his two bodyguards were carrying drugs.
In their report, Diaz and Moreno said they frisked Cuadra and were able to recover a bottle containing a substance that was later found to be shabu. They also recovered drugs paraphernalia placed in a pouch in the possession of Morales.
Charges for illegal drugs possession was filed against Cuadra and possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus, and other drugs paraphernalia against Morales.
No case was filed against Mendoza because no drugs or paraphernalia were recovered from his possession.
Executive Judge Marieta Jomena Valencia first handled the case but she was later pulled out and assigned in Metro Manila. Marin replaced her.
Cuadra was immediately flown to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa in Manila.
Morales, meanwhile, revealed in a radio interview that his case was dismissed on July 1, 2006 after his legal counsel Edgar Peralta filed a motion to dismiss the case, which the court granted.
Morales could not believe that Cuadra was convicted, adding he believes that the drugs recovered from his boss were only planted.
Morales said the police only framed them.
Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Rolen Balquin said they would review Morales's case so they could file an appeal.
Balquin considers the conviction of Cuadra a victory for the agency.
"It's a big victory on the part of the PDEA and a warning to other drug groups," Balquin said.
He said Cuadra's conviction would serve as warning that even an influential man could not escape the law.
Balquin added that some members of Cuadra's group are still active, but are under the police's tight watch.
"Cuadra's other members are now in jail. Those who have gone out of jail stopped (drug dealing)," Balquin said.
Balquin said Cuadra's operation went on for almost 18 years until he was arrested in 2003.
"If he was not arrested, he could have become a big-time drug dealer and financier in the country," Balquin said. (Sun.Star Iloilo/Sunnex)
(July 26, 2006 issue)
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