‘Drug war’ whistleblower Garma, daughter nabbed in US for canceled visa
Dwayne Pelagio
Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chief Royina Garma, who made revelations about a “reward system” for killing drug suspects during the Duterte administration, was arrested in the United States with her daughter on Nov. 7 due to visa cancellation.
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Photo Courtesy of House of Representatives. |
According to a report of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Philippine National Police (PNP), Garma and her daughter were arrested in Los Angeles, California.
DOJ announced that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Viado to facilitate Garma's return to the Philippines.
“It is fervently hoped that despite the lifting of her contempt order by Congress, and due to the pending investigations on the matters arising from the congressional hearings, she will still be willing to cooperate and collaborate with the Philippine Government,” the DOJ said.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a press briefing that during the Senate hearings, Garma’s visa was canceled so she tried her luck and went to the US.
“Detained sila and they are in the process of being sent home here, back here in the Philippines,” Remulla added in his statement during the press briefing.
The Interior secretary announced that the two will return to the Philippines on Nov. 13 and will go straight to the Senate because Garma is a Senate witness but has to be detained again in the upper chamber.
Justice Secretary Remulla stated in an ambush interview that they would only provide protection to Garma but make sure she has contact with authorities to avoid another incident.
He noted that they will still study if she can become a state witness.
The House quad committee released Garma from detention on November 4, according to lead chairperson and Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers.
Garma revealed during the House hearings about the “Davao model”, a system of rewards given to police officers for killing drug suspects.