Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager and retired police colonel Royima Garma remains in detention in the United States as she seeks political asylum following her arrest due to a canceled visa, her legal counsel revealed Monday.
Speaking to reporters at the Department of Justice (DOJ), Garma’s lawyer, Emerito Quilang, confirmed that she filed for asylum in November 2024 and is currently being represented by a separate attorney in the U.S. asylum case.
“I’m not privy to the things happening there in the asylum [case]. What I know is that the asylum was set for the initial hearing on April 2 but it was canceled, and there is no setting yet,” Quilang said.
Quilang added that Garma’s fate hinges on the outcome of her asylum bid. “If the US government grants it, she will be released from detention. If not, she may either be extradited or return voluntarily,” he said.
The former PCSO chief faces murder and frustrated murder charges in connection with the July 2020 assassination of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police filed the charges before the DOJ in February, citing what they described as “sufficient pieces of evidence” linking Garma and several others to the ambush near the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City.
Among the other respondents in the complaint are retired police colonel Edilberto Leonardo, Jeremy Causapin (alias Toks), Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza, former police officer Nelson Mariano, an individual identified only as alias Lolo, and several John Does.
Mendoza, who testified before the House of Representatives in September 2024, claimed that Garma and Leonardo masterminded the killing.
Despite the allegations, Quilang asserted Garma’s innocence and said they are preparing her defense. “Actually, we are ready with the counter affidavit today. But we want to avail of that last day which is May 2,” he said.
The outcome of Garma’s asylum case may impact how the Philippine government proceeds with the case, including potential extradition proceedings.
