Garma confirms existence of Davao Death Squad

Royina Garma, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager and retired police colonel. (Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma has confirmed the existence of the Davao Death Squad (DDS).

In a supplemental affidavit submitted to the House Quad Committee (Quadcom) investigating extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the anti-drug campaign, Garma revealed that the covert operations of the DDS were “common knowledge” among police officers in Davao City, former president Rodrigo Duterte’s stronghold.

“I became aware of the so-called ‘Davao Death Squad’ through various sources during my assignment in Davao,” Garma said. “It was common knowledge among officers that almost all station commanders had special teams for specific operations.”

Garma, who served as a police officer in Davao City since 1997, said police officers were discouraged from openly discussing the DDS operations, noting that the “culture of silence” extended to police operations where little oversight was maintained over killings conducted under the guise of law enforcement.

“Although I did not know the identities of these teams, a culture of silence prevailed among police officers in Davao regarding such matters,” she said.

Garma’s latest affidavit followed her testimony in an Oct. 11 hearing, where she implicated Duterte and his close aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in orchestrating and coordinating the nationwide anti-drug campaign that reportedly led to the EJKs of drug suspects.

Reward system unmasked

In her Oct. 22 affidavit, Garma further detailed her firsthand observations of the alleged reward system that incentivized police officers to carry out drug-related killings ranging from PHP20,000 to PHP1 million depending on the target.

Garma, who served as station commander of the Sasa and Sta. Ana police stations from 2012 to 2016, recounted a 2012 operation in Barangay Malagamot, Davao City, where she received a call from a certain “Lt. Col. Padua”, an intelligence officer working under then-Davao City Police director Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

Hours later, she learned that a male suspect had been killed.

“From that operation, I received PHP20,000 from Sgt. Suan provided by Boy Alce,” she said, referring to an individual who facilitated the distribution of rewards to officers.

In another incident, Garma recalled the killing of a drug user near GT Gasoline Station in Panacan, Davao.

“I remember this person because, on the morning of the day of his death, the duty desk officer informed me that he went to my office and left an image of the Holy Family, to tell my men that he just went to Mass and was very happy,” Garma said. “A few hours later, he was dead.”

When Garma inquired about the incident, she was told by a certain Police Staff Sgt. Suan that the killing had been coordinated by Alce.

“There was never any clearance from my office for this operation, nor was my office informed of it,” she said.

Monthly reporting

Garma further explained that station commanders were required to submit reports of successful operations at the end of each month.

These reports, she said, were essential for obtaining reimbursements for operational expenses, including buy-bust money and gasoline.

“At the end of each month, all station commanders were required to submit reports documenting successful police operations to the LGU of Davao,” Garma explained. “These reports included details of cases filed in the Office of the Prosecutor and other relevant information concerning the operations.”

She identified Irmina “Muking” Espino, a staff member in Go’s office at the Davao City Hall, as the liaison officer handling reimbursements.

Payments of PHP5,000 per operation were distributed monthly, with commanders signing acknowledgment documents.

Espino reportedly continued to work with Go when he became Special Assistant to the President at Malacañang, serving as an Assistant Secretary in his office.

However, Garma revealed that no formal documentation was required for reward payments related to killings.

“For the deaths of suspects, Sonny Buenaventura provided direct payments of PHP20,000 to station commanders, with no signed documentation required,” Garma said.

Leonardo corroborates Garma’s affidavits

Former police colonel Edilberto Leonardo corroborated the two affidavits submitted by Garma during the Quadcom hearing that spanned from Tuesday to early Wednesday.

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, pressed Leonardo on the veracity of Garma’s statements.

“Ayaw ko naman na matawag siya na siya ang Hitler ng Pilipinas,” Abante said, referring to Duterte. “Am I right? O eto po, ito na po ang question ko, and this will only be answerable by yes or no. I am not going to ask for any more explanation. Col. Leonardo, sagutin niyo lang ako ng yes or no. Doon sa dalawang affidavit ni Col. Garma na nabasa mo at napakinggan mo. ’Yan ba ay pinapaniwalaan mo? Yes or no?”

(“I don’t want him to be called the Hitler of the Philippines. Am I right?” So here it is, this is my question, and it can only be answerable by yes or no. I am not going to ask for any more explanation. Col. Leonardo, just answer me with yes or no. In the two affidavits of Col. Garma that you have read and listened to. Do you believe that? Yes or no?)

“Yes, Mr. Chair,” Leonardo responded, affirming his belief in the accuracy of Garma’s affidavits.

Abante followed up with another question, seeking clarity on the alleged reward system.

“Naniniwala ka ba na merong (Doy you believe that this is) rewards system? Yes or no?” Abante asked.

Leonardo initially hesitated, saying, “May narinig ako (I’ve heard of it), yes Mr. Chair.”

Abante pressed him for a clear answer, to which Leonardo finally confirmed: “Yes, Mr. Chair.”