Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) head Royina M. Garma has been criticized for seemingly orchestrating a diversion with her affidavit and statementsin Friday’s Quad Committee hearing at the House of Representatives.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said Garma’s tactics are nothing more than a smokescreen to obscure the grave allegations surrounding her alleged involvement in a murder plot.

“Malicious and unsubstantiated statements should have no place in any credible investigation,” Go said in a statement on Saturday.

Garma, a retired police colonel and former PCSO General Manager, in her affidavit submitted to the House Quad Committee on October 11, implicated former President Rodrigo Duterte in orchestrating a nationwide campaign that resulted in extrajudicial killings (EJKs) of drug suspects during his administration.

Garma's affidavit bared alleged inner workings of Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, including an alleged reward system for EJKs. She detailed the involvement of Duterte and his long-time aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in overseeing and coordinating anti-drug operations.

“I would strongly encourage the Senate to conduct an impartial investigation on these allegations,” Go’s statement read.

He added: “Palagi kong sinasabi, karapatan ng taumbayan na malaman ang katotohanan. Doon lang sana tayo sa totoo at tama. Kilala n’yo po ako. Mas gusto kong magtrabaho at magserbisyo lamang sa kapwa ko Pilipino pero kung sariling pangalan ko na ang nadudungisan, hindi ako papayag dyan (I always say, the people have the right to know the truth. We should only be there in truth and right. You know me. I prefer to work and serve my fellow Filipinos but if my own name is tarnished, I will not allow that).”

Garma has faced accusations of corruption during her time as a police officer and PCSO chief, but a more pressing claim linked her to the execution of three Chinese drug traffickers at the Davao penal colony in August 2016.

In the same House Quad Committee session, police Lt. Col. Santi Mendoza named Garma and National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo as masterminds in the murder of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga in July 2020.

Garma was also accused of diverting P2 million from PCSO funds to a party-list group she established, the Samahan ng Totoong Larong may Puso, and employing seven of her relatives at the PCSO.

War on drugs

Go said former President Duterte's platforms during his campaign, particularly the fight against drugs and criminality harming the nation, significantly contributed to his electoral success.

Upon taking office, he said Duterte established a 'contract' with the people to combat the widespread issue of illegal drugs and improve society. Throughout his State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) from 2016 to 2021, he consistently emphasized this commitment to the public he serves.

“In fact, both Houses of Congress are in agreement with this policy, even giving the Former President a standing ovation when the war on drugs is mentioned during his SONAs,” he added.

Duterte, he said, stated clearly numerous times that his administration never sanctioned nor tolerated any form of senseless killings.  

“Abogado (lawyer) si FPRRD na naging prosecutor pa and became a prosecutor). He knows and has always respected the rule of law,” he said.

He added that as the President’s Special Assistant, he had no participation whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in the operational requirements of the war on drugs.

“As stated in the Executive Order creating my position, my functions are limited to scheduling, appointments, and presidential engagements. My mandate does not include police operations. Kaya hindi ako nakikialam diyan (I did not meddle in that),” Go said, adding that he did not personally handle the money of the President's office because that was not part of his duties.

He clarified that no reward system was implemented in exchange for anyone's life.

“FPRRD and I fully support the PNP and other uniformed personnel in their work, which is why we fought for their salary increase. He also advocated increasing operational support for the police so that they can fulfill their duties,” he said in Filipino.

He lamented that the times are unfortunately reversed now as politics interferes with investigations, and the efforts of the previous administration to clean the country against criminality and drugs are being ignored for the future of the people and children.

“The war on drugs of the previous administration, lest we forget, enjoyed widespread public support across all sectors, and people are now seeing the difference in how once upon a time they felt safe in the streets and their communities,” Go added. (AAA)