đź“·Former Bayan Muna Rep. and human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares
Retired police Col. and former PCSO Chairperson Royina Garma’s testimony ‘weaves together’ evidence to strengthen the crimes against humanity case against President Rodrigo Duterte in the International Criminal Court, former Bayan Muna Rep and human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares said.
In an interview on One News’ program Storycon on Monday, October 14, Colmenares said that there is no denying the existence of evidence against Duterte based on the elements of crimes against humanity due to Garma’s admission that Duterte funded the rewards for those who could kill drug suspects.
He also noted that the evidence showed widespread and systematic attacks on civilians and the knowledge of these attacks.
“Ang proof kay Pres. Duterte were the public orders na kill, kill, kill and second yung public statements nya na ine-encourage ang mga pulis i-amnesty ko kayo, bahala ako sa inyo. That’s the second evidence kumbaga ng knowledge nya but etong sinabi ni Col. Garma, yan ang nagtahi talaga kasi hindi lang pala siya nag-order ng kill, he ordered the initiation of the reward,” Colmenares said.
“At pangalawa siya ang nagpondo mismo. So that immediately changes everything. Kasi now madudulog na talaga sa kanya ang EJK na ito kasi not only he ordered it, he even funded it. May reward for killings, ng EJKs. Medyo malaking bagay ang testimony ni Col. Garma,” he added.
Colmenares also said that Garma could later be charged with the murder of former PCSO board secretary and retired Gen. Wesley Barayuga.
In the previous and recent hearings, Garma was associated with Barayuga’s murder. She also reported that a PNP official allegedly “boasted” about being responsible for Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili’s death.
Additionally, Garma claimed that then-President Rodrigo Duterte and other senior officials in his administration approved secret operations that replicated the “Davao City model” of extrajudicial killings on a national level.
In her affidavit, Garma revealed that Duterte allegedly reached out to her regarding the establishment of a national task force, with Colonel Edilberto Leonardo, Commissioner of the National Police Commission, playing a significant role in executing the reported plan.
Garma stated that Leonardo worked alongside Duterte and his aide, now-Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, to form the new task force. (TCSP)
