BCPO eyes ‘drug war’ behind slay of drug convict’s son

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is looking into rivalry among drug groups as one of the possible angles behind the murder of the son of a drug convict here on Saturday.

Gerald Cuadra, 43, of 24th Street Calamba, Barangay 1, was killed by an unidentified gunman at Barangay 5 past 2 p.m., while disembarking from his pick-up truck.

The gunman fled, along with his unidentified companion on board a motorcycle. Both were wearing face masks and helmets.

Gerald, an alleged drug personality under the watchlist of the BCPO, is the son of Jose Kim “Boy” Cuadra, who was convicted of drug trafficking in 2006 and now serving a life sentence at the New Bilibid Prison.

Police recovered from the scene seven empty shells of .45 caliber ammunition.

Police Colonel Henry Biñas, BCPO director, said that they have no lead yet on the identities of the perpetrators.

Biñas said that the killing of Gerald might have something to do with competition between two drug groups or with other groups.

He, however, said that they are also probing the victim’s personal life if he had enemies which could also link to the killing.

He said that the recent murder is another possible drug-related case which they may find difficult to solve because of its complex background, lack of witnesses, and other physical evidence.

He said that they are also checking possible footage of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras from nearby establishments to aid them in their investigation.

Meanwhile, Police Major Sherlock Gabana, head of Police Station 2, said that the perpetrators were seen at the area one hour prior to the arrival of the victim. “It’s possible that the victim’s activities were monitored,” he added.

Gabana said that the victim had not reported any threats before which could be linked to the killing.

He also said that there are no significant things inside the victim’s car which can be used in their investigation.

 

 

‘Medical response’

Gerald’s family over Aksyon Radyo Bacolod’s interview, questioned the authorities for not rushing the victim to the hospital across the street, where he was killed, and the delayed arrival of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO).

Gabana said that as part of the protocols, police as first responders checked the pulse of the victim to check for signs of life.

He said that police were about to bring the victim to the hospital onboard the police car but personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) arrived and declared him dead.

He said that there was a delay on the reporting of the incident but they immediately responded after they got a call for assistance.

He also said that he has no idea on the delay in the arrival of the SOCO, adding that the latter may have processed other cases in other areas before proceeding to the crime scene.