SURIGAO del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel on Thursday accused retired Police Col. Royina Garma of being the “director” behind the killings of three suspected Chinese drug lords inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in 2016.
“Si Col. Garma ang nagsilbing ‘director’ ng pagpatay sa tatlong Chinese drug lords noong 2016,” Pimentel said during his interpellation of Garma at Thursday’s hearing of the House Quad Committee, which is investigating the extrajudicial killings linked to the brutal war on drugs under the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
At least four witnesses have identified Garma as the one directly giving instructions or coordinating the operation to eliminate Chinese nationals Chu Kin Tung, also known as Tony Lim; Li Lan Yan, alias Jackson Li; and Wong Meng Pin, alias Wang Ming Ping.
The witnesses include self-confessed hitmen Leopoldo “Tata” Tan Jr. and Fernando “Andy” Magdadaro, who carried out the killings; former DPPF warden Supt. Gerardo Padilla; and former policeman Jimmy Fortaleza, Garma’s classmate at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
Tan, Magdadaro and Padilla testified that former President Duterte ultimately ordered the killings of the suspected Chinese drug lords as part of his anti-drug campaign.
Appearing before the Quad Committee for the first time, Garma denied the allegations linking her to the killings of the Chinese nationals.
She also denied any perceived “closeness” with former President Duterte, who appointed her as general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) after her resignation from the police force in 2018.
However, several lawmakers cast doubt on her denial, strongly believing that she would not have been appointed to the high-profile PCSO post or promoted to key police positions, including administrative officer of the Davao City police, without close ties to former President Duterte, who served as the long-time mayor of Davao City.
In his interpellation, Pimentel emphasized that Garma had multiple contacts with key figures involved in the DPPF operation.
“Inamin niya na siya mismo ang nagbigay ng mga direktiba. Tatlong beses silang nag-usap ni Jimmy Fortaleza para siguruhin na magiging maayos ang operasyon,” Pimentel said, referring to Garma’s admission of having conversations with Fortaleza.
Garma, however, denied that these discussions were related to the plan to kill the Chinese drug lords.
Citing the sworn affidavits and testimonies of previous witnesses, Pimentel outlined a series of critical communications made by Garma, which implicated her in orchestrating the murders.
The first contact, according to Pimentel, took place in July 2016 when Garma visited Fortaleza alongside certain Colonels Vilela and Grijaldo.
During this meeting, Garma informed Fortaleza of an upcoming operation targeting the Chinese inmates at the DPPF.
“Inamin po ni Col. Garma kanina, dalawang beses niya po inamin na totoo na nakipagkita siya kay Jimmy Fortaleza at sinabi niyang magkakaroon ng operation,” Pimentel said.
The second contact occurred when Garma called Fortaleza, asking him to facilitate communication with Padilla.
Garma reportedly asked Fortaleza to bring a cellphone to ensure she could speak directly with Padilla.
“Sinabihan ni Col. Garma si Col. Padilla na huwag silang makialam sa operation na gagawin sa Davao Penal Colony [now DPPF],” Pimentel narrated, further exposing Garma’s critical role in the operation.
The third instance involved a call made by Garma on Aug. 8, 2016, after a meeting at the station of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao, where the final plan for the killings was supposedly confirmed.
“Sinabihan niya si Jimmy Fortaleza, ‘may mga tao na kami diyan,’ referring to the executioners already in place to carry out the killing of the Chinese prisoners," Pimentel elaborated.
The final contact between Garma and Fortaleza took place on Aug. 11, 2016, just days before the prisoners were killed.
According to Pimentel, Garma instructed Fortaleza to ensure the Chinese prisoners were fed and taken care of before their deaths.
“Tumawag uli si Col. Garma at sinabihan si Fortaleza, ‘Huwag mong pabayaan yung tatlong bilanggo, bigyan mo ng pagkain,’" Pimentel said.
Pimentel further noted the importance of these revelations, linking Garma’s actions directly to the killings and her deep involvement in coordinating the operations.
“It is now clear that Garma was not only aware of the operation but was actively managing the situation, from planning to execution," Pimentel pointed out.
At the same hearing, lawmakers claim they have established the close relationship that Garma had with the ex-president Rodrigo Duterte despite the former’s vehement denial that she is not a trusted ally of the former Chief Executive.
During the Quad Committee hearing, Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrix” Luistro, Taguig Rep. Amparo Maria “Pammy” Zamora, Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez and Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop also took turns in questioning Garma about her career as a PNP official and later as PCSO general manager.
Luistro asked Garma about her background, pursuing questions about her education and her service at the PNP, including her stint as head of the PNP Women’s Desk in Davao City, in the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and as police chief of Cebu City during the war on drugs of the Duterte administration.
“I wish to maintain my statement, Mr. Chair, na bago po ma-appoint ang isang opisyal ng PNP sa isang area of jurisdiction, sa general practice, we always consult the local chief executive,” Luistro said, referring to former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the time of Garma’s police appointments.
“In other words, Mr. Chair, I wish to state that the reason why almost the entire career in PNP of Col. Garma was spent in Davao, the reason why she was appointed in Cebu City as city director and the reason why he was appointed as PCSO General Manager is because pinagkakatiwalaan po siya ng ating dating pangulo, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Luistro declared.
During the hearing, it was found out that Garma held several police post in Davao City, including being the station commander of Sasa and Sta. Ana in Davao City, being the head of Women’s Desk of the Davao City Police and as a police administration officer of the Davao City police station.
“Ang maliwanag po, Colonel, ay malaki ang tiwala sa inyo ng dating Pangulo,” Luistro said.
Zamora focused on news articles she gathered about Garma and her marital problems with her ex-husband Roland Vilela who was accused of raping a 17-year old commercial worker in 2005.
The lawmaker said according to news articles, Garma even appealed to then-Mayor Duterte to retain her ex-husband in Davao City as a member of the police force.
“Because countless articles, merong Rappler, iba’t iba pa nagsasabi dito na naging hingahan niyo ng sama ng loob nung panahon na ‘yun si Mayor Duterte and thus earning his trust,” Zamora asked Garma.
“Hindi po totoo yan,” was the only response of Garma.
“The reason why you were appointed for PCSO General Manager is because the President trusted you that you can discharge the functions of this office, tama po? Zamora added.
“It is possible, Mr. Chair,” Garma responded.
Garma also recounted the travails of her separation from Vilela, as she expressed concerns for the welfare of their daughter who was suffering from a special disability.
Suarez said that the PNP positions that Garma held were “plum areas,” meaning that without the intervention of Duterte, it would be very difficult to get the positions in Davao City and Cebu City, as well as the PCSO.
“Kung talagang totoo kayo sa posisyon na pinangangalagaan ninyo ang anak ninyo, hindi nyo siya ilalagay sa alanganin. Tiwala kayo na ‘pag nag-resign kayo – which was a gamble given that you still had ten more years of active service – you were sure, in your heart, that you will not put the welfare of your daughter in any harm,” Suarez said.
“Therefore, you applied for the position of PCSO (General Manager), a position so plum and so sweet that only the handpicked chosen ones of the President will be given,” he added.
Garma joined the PCSO in July 15, 2019 after retiring from the PNP in June 2019 with 24 years of service in her record.
Acop questioned how Garma could retire when she had a full 10 years of PNP service left.
“This representation, I think, would also believe that na ikaw ay nag-optional retirement because you knew for a fact that you can get the position in the PCSO,” Acop said.
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