📷Former PCSO general manager Royina Garma
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said that a preliminary investigation and case build-up into the killings of high-profile figures during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war will begin once the House of Representatives submits its report or an individual files a complaint.
Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said this in a Viber message to reporters over the weekend when asked about the possibility of a DOJ probe following former PCSO general manager Royina Garma’s statement during a House hearing that Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili, killed in July 2018, was shot by a sniper from a police team.
Vasquez said the DOJ may start the preliminary investigation if somebody files a complaint against those responsible for the alleged crime and if the House formally collates and relay its committee reports and any related affidavits to courts.
“Here, it could be the police or private complainants. There must be an initiatory process,” Vasquez said.
In a separate radio interview with DZBB, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said it is up to the DOJ to decide whether Royina Garma could act as a state witness if cases are filed.
Barbers mentioned that the panel is awaiting confirmation from the former president on whether he will participate in the ongoing inquiry, noting that they will “respect whatever his decision may be.”
“Siguro titimbangin muna ng DOJ ‘yung kanyang ini-reveal niyang information kung qualified ba siya to be state witness or to be a beneficiary of the witness protection program ng ating gobyerno,” Barbers said
“They are within their rights. But when [the quad comm] makes its recommendation in the committee report, we would use as bases the gathered evidence, testimonies, and their statements in the media so there would be a semblance of listening to their views or opinions [on] these issues,” Barbers added.
In her October 11 affidavit, Garma revealed that the former president had instructed her to implement the “Davao Model” nationwide, which involved a reward system for police officers based on the number of drug suspects they killed.
Garma, the former PCSO chief, explained that the Davao Model offers police officers a three-tiered reward system, granting commendations, funding for “planned operations,” or reimbursements for operational expenses.
Garma has been accused of orchestrating the killings of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga in 2020, and three alleged Chinese drug lords in 2016. (TCSP)
