Losing a husband
Like Kevin, Gloria Cuesta is still coping with the loss of her husband Dennis.
Radio broadcaster Dennis Cuesta of General Santos City was on his way home when two motorcycle-riding gunmen shot him five times with a .45 caliber pistol on August 4, 2008. He died five days after the attack.
In an interview with Bulatlat, Gloria said she and children are still experiencing difficulties living without Dennis.
“Pinagkasya na lang namin kung anong meron,” (We just live within our means.) Gloria said. The widow works as an employee of the Social Security System in Digos.
Gloria said the scholarship program of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines’s (NUJP) has been a big help.
The couple has six children: Mitzie, 13; Jasper Adrian, 11; Angelica, 9; Kristine, 7; Dennis I, 5; and Khamille, 3.
Gloria said her children were affected by the death of their father. “Apektado talaga, lalong-lalo na ang mga lalaki. Wala nang ganang mag-aral,” (The children are really affected, especially the boys. They lost their drive to study.) she said, her voice quivering.
“Idol nila tatay nila,” (They idolized their father.) she continued, wiping her tears. “Ngayon, nakaka-recover na.” (Slowly, they are recovering.)
Gloria said their youngest daughter, Khamille, still asks for her father.
The widow described her husband as a responsible and principled man. “Kaya nga siguro siya namatay dahil sa prinsipyo niya.” (Probably that is the reason why he was killed, because of his principles.)
Update on the case
Gloria is hoping that the suspects in the killing of her husband would be arrested soon.
On April 7, General Santos City Regional Trial Court Branch 37 Judge Panambulan Mimbisa issued the warrant against accused Police Inspector Redempto “Boy” Acharon, an alias “Gerry”, and several John Does in the killing of Cuesta. No bail was recommended.
