3 sentenced for killing of ex-tourism exec Kua

MANILA, Philippines – The Makati City Regional Trial Court yesterday sentenced three people for the killing of former tourism official Nixon Kua to 21 years imprisonment.

In a 40-page decision, Makati RTC Judge Elpidio Calis said John Rey Cortez, Noel Garcia and Darwin Saniano were found guilty of robbery with homicide and frustrated homicide for wounding Kua’s brother Allyson.

The three accused were found guilty of attacking Kua, former reporter of The STAR, and his brother during a robbery attempt at the Ayala Greenfields Subdivision on July 21, 2012 in Calamba, Laguna.

Kua, who was with his wife and children, was parking his car in front of Allyson’s house when they were attacked by the accused.

Kua later died in the hospital after he was shot in the face. Allyson, on the other hand, tried to help his brother but was shot in the shoulder.

The assailants were identified by the victim’s wife and children, who were shown police photographs of known robbers in the area.

The court noted the accused voluntarily surrendered to the police but denied the allegations of robbery.

The court imposed a lower jail sentence on the three, taking notice of their surrender as a mitigating circumstance.

The court also acquitted the fourth accused Michael Molino for failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The Makati court, however, ordered the three accused to pay P75,000 to the heirs of Kua as civil indemnity for his death.

The case was originally filed in the regional trial court in Calamba but was transferred to Makati City on the request of the widow Susan Kua.

Kua was also a columnist of Pilipino Star Ngayon and served as head of the Philippine Tourism Authority during the Estrada administration.