📷Col. Hector Grijaldo
Former Mandaluyong police chief Colonel Hector Grijaldo is currently in custody at the House of Representatives following a contempt citation issued by the quad committee for his failure to attend scheduled hearings.
Quad Committee overall chairperson and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte stated that the arrest order was executed while Grijaldo was undergoing medical evaluation after shoulder surgery earlier this month.
Barbers mentioned that Grijaldo had requested to remain in the hospital for his detention; however, the committee denied this request, asserting that the police official was in satisfactory condition.
“Sabi ng mga doctors niya, ambulatory siya, pwede na siya lumabas, pwede siya maglakad. There’s no reason for him to stay in the hospital,” Barbers informed the media.
As a result, the House’s arrest order was enforced, he added.
Grijaldo is expected to remain within the House premises throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays, with his detention set to continue until the conclusion of the quad committee’s inquiry.
The quad committee held Grijaldo in contempt last week due to his absence from four hearings despite receiving invitations.
Barbers pointed out that Grijaldo had made allegations against the committee members during his appearance before the Senate but declined to engage with the House.
Grijaldo accused members of the quad committee of exerting pressure on him to validate the rewards system associated with the drug war initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte, which he claimed he refused to endorse.
At the time of the ambush that resulted in the death of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga, Grijaldo was serving as the chief of the Mandaluyong police.
The quad committee is investigating this incident following testimony from a police official who claimed he was instructed by National Police Commission official Edilberto Leonardo to eliminate Barayuga, allegedly on the orders of retired police official Royina Garma, who was the General Manager of the PCSO at that time. (ZIA LUNA)
