House panel detains cop linked to 2016 Davao prison killings

The House Quad Committee on Thursday ordered the detention of Police Master Sergeant Arthur “Art” Narsolis, implicated in the 2016 killing of three Chinese drug lords inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF), allegedly on the orders of then-President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Narsolis was cited in contempt for repeatedly ignoring subpoenas from the panel investigating extrajudicial killings tied to Duterte’s brutal war on drugs. 

The joint committee, chaired by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, ordered his detention until the investigation concludes or the contempt citation is lifted.

The contempt motion was initiated by Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, invoking Section 11(a) of the House Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation.

The case centers on the confessions of inmates Leopoldo Tan Jr. and Fernando Magdadaro, who admitted to killing the Chinese nationals under alleged direct orders from Duterte. At the time, the former president had just launched his controversial anti-drug campaign.

The victims, Chu Kin Tung (aka Tony Lim), Li Lan Yan (aka Jackson Li), and Wong Meng Pin (aka Wang Ming Ping), were serving sentences for drug-related offenses, including operating a drug lab in Parañaque City.

In sworn statements, Tan and Magdadaro detailed how they were approached by law enforcement officers linked to the Duterte administration and instructed to carry out the murders.

Tan specifically named Narsolis, who allegedly visited him in July 2016 with a proposition to kill the Chinese inmates, claiming approval from higher-ups and offering a reward of P1 million per target. 

Narsolis reportedly referred to the reward as "isang manok kada ulo" (one chicken per head).

Tan said Narsolis instructed him to find a partner, leading him to enlist Magdadaro. Both inmates were later moved to the same cell as the Chinese targets before carrying out the murders on Aug. 13, 2016.

Tan further alleged that former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Royina Garma, who was then with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao, was also involved in planning the killings. 

He referred to Garma as one of Narsolis' "bosses," and even suggested they had a personal relationship.