Garma links ex-Pres. Duterte to state-sanctioned EJKs in war on drugs

Philippine News Agency

Garma revealed significant information involving Duterte and his long-time aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, regarding their roles in overseeing and coordinating anti-drug operations. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – Retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma has submitted an affidavit, directly implicating former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in orchestrating a nationwide campaign that led to extrajudicial killings (EJKs) of drug suspects during his term.

In her affidavit submitted to the House Quad Committee on Friday, Garma provides new insight into the internal workings of the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs, including the alleged reward system for EJKs.

Garma revealed significant information involving Duterte and his long-time aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, regarding their roles in overseeing and coordinating anti-drug operations.

Garma detailed a May 2016 meeting where Duterte instructed her to help find a Philippine National Police (PNP) officer to lead a national anti-drug task force, replicating the “Davao Model,” a system rewarding police for killings.

“The Davao Model involves three levels of payments or rewards. First is the reward if the suspect is killed. Second is the funding of planned operations (COPLANS). Third is the refund of operational expenses,” Garma said.

Garma said she then recommended her upperclassman at the PNP Academy, Police Col. Edilberto Leonardo, who was then with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Leonardo was soon brought into the fold and tasked with forming a specialized task force, following a meeting with Duterte.

Garma said Leonardo’s role expanded, and a formal proposal for the task force’s operations was submitted to Duterte through Go.

“Leonardo subsequently informed me that he had prepared a proposal, routed through Bong Go, outlining the task force’s operations, which would encompass Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” she said.

Leonardo and his operatives began executing their plans, with Garma serving as an intermediary between him and Go during the initial months.

Garma’s affidavit also shed light on the inner workings of the task force, which Leonardo led.

She revealed that the task force had a reward system in place, where only killings would earn payments.

Garma explained that the funds were funneled through the bank accounts of Peter Parungo, a former detainee, and meticulously tracked by Leonardo’s team.

Further implicating Go, Garma said Leonardo would report all fatalities from police operations directly to the then Special Assistant to the President (SAP) for inclusion in his weekly reports, ensuring operational expenses were refunded.

“Leonardo had the final authority to determine who would be included on the list of drug personalities and to classify their threat levels, as well as the discretion to remove individuals from the list,” she added.

Garma also disclosed that the operations extended beyond the streets to key penitentiary systems, with drug activities allegedly originating from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

She recalled overhearing discussions between Leonardo and other officials about drug activities at the Davao Penal Colony, specifically mentioning BuCor officers involved in the drug trade who were later killed.

Garma affirmed her willingness to provide further testimony and additional details as the Quad Committee’s investigation into drug-related EJKs continues.