đź“·BI Commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Tuesday, November 12, that he directed Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado to expedite the return of retired police colonel Royina Garma to the Philippines.
Remulla issued this order following Garma’s unauthorized departure from the country. She was later detained in the United States on November 7, along with her Angelica Garma Vilela.
“We are committed to seeing justice served in every case and to upholding the integrity of our justice system, especially when it involves our country’s significant issues and concerns,” Remulla said in a statement.
“The cases against her or involving her have not yet been filed, we are still conducting case buildup. In any case, she is considered a very important witness by the quadcom, that is why we intend to offer her witness protection for that matter, at least for the matter which the quadcom is seeking from her. Of course, there are other things which may not be necessarily in conjunction with what the quadcom has considered,” Remulla added.
Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon announced that the newly-formed task force on extrajudicial killings (EJKs) will conduct a reinvestigation into the murder of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga. A police officer had previously linked Garma to Barayuga’s 2020 assassination.
During the House of Representatives quad committee hearings, Garma made several revelations regarding the Duterte administration’s drug war and some of the killings that occurred during that period.
The retired police officer had been detained by the House quad committee after being cited for contempt but was later released. (TCSP)
