Royina Garma held in US, to be deported

Retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma has been held in the United States and will face deportation, according to the Department of Justice.

- DAPHNE GALVEZ and MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

The DOJ said Garma and her daughter Angelica Vilela were apprehended and detained by US immigration authorities in San Francisco, California on Nov. 7.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval confirmed Garma's departure through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on the same day.

Sandoval said Garma departed for the US at around 7:30 a.m. and was processed in compliance with set immigration procedures. Garma took United Airlines Flight UA190's 9:55 a.m. flight to Washington.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Garma was detained by the US border control because her visa had been canceled over a "human rights issue." "I think that is a human rights issue. That was considered by the US government in canceling her visa. I don't know who asked for it, but certainly, when she was in Japan going to the US, she was informed that her visa had been canceled already," Remulla replied when asked why the US canceled Garma's visa.

Garma had attempted to go to the US last August, but was blocked because her visa had been canceled without her knowledge.

Remulla said Garma would be deported and the DOJ chief has ordered the BI to coordinate with their US counterparts and facilitate Garma's return to the Philippines.

"While we work to ensure the safe return of Ms. Garma, we trust that she will remain cooperative with all ongoing investigations," Remulla said.

Remulla said Garma managed to get past NAIA immigration since her US visa was still on her passport and there was neither a hold-departure order against her nor an immigration lookout bulletin.