Bacolod's top drug personality out on bail

A TOP drug personality in Bacolod City was released from detention after he posted bail for illegal possession of firearms.

Chief Inspector Jonairy Sitchon, warden of Metro Bacolod District Jail with Special Intensive Care Area (MBDJ-Sica) confirmed Thursday that Gerald Cuadra, 38, was released at about 12:55 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving the order of release from Judge Eduardo Sayson of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 54 in Bacolod City.

Cuadra was charged for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Read:P1.5M illegal drugs seized from Cuadra son

Aside from Cuadra’s bail for the said violation, Sitchon said they also received a resolution from the court issued by Judge Therese Blanche Bolunia of RTC Branch 47 for the dismissal of Cuadra’s case for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The court decision and the court order are in the custody of the legal officer of the MBDJ-Sica, Sitchon said.

He added that Cuadra, who is in the drugs watchlist of Bacolod City Police Office and Police Regional Office-18, was detained at MBDJ-Sica for about three months.

He was arrested last May when police operatives headed by former Regional Special Operations Task Group chief, Superintendent Maharlika Oscar Villasis, raided his house at 24th Calamba Street in Barangay 1 by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Manuel Cardinal Jr. of RTC Branch 43.

The operation led to the recovery of P1.25 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and drug paraphernalia.

The police also seized three empty magazines for M16 rifle; a plastic with several empty cartridges of .9mm; a plastic with several bullet slugs; a plastic with several live ammunition of M16; two boxes of live ammunition of .22 caliber; three boxes of live ammunition of .9mm and .45 caliber; a box with empty cartridges of .9mm; a gun suppressor; two boxes of empty cartridges of .45 caliber; a .40 caliber; a M16 rifle; and a plastic case of M16 rifle.

Cuadra, whom police considers a “big-time” drug pusher in the city, is the son of Jose Kim “Boy” Cuadra, who was convicted of drug trafficking in July 2006, and is serving a life term at New Bilibid Prison.

Villasis said he does not know about Cuadra’s release, and refused to further comment.

He added that the court has discretion on the matter.

Meanwhile, Sitchon said that William Chua, a top drug personality of PRO-18, and his son Wesley are in the custody of MBDJ-Sica for about a month now.

The father and son were arrested in a drug bust on June 21, together with 11 others, in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod that led to the recovery of P900,000 worth of illegal drugs.