Garma meets ICC execs in Malaysia

Former police colonel Royina Garma, who testified before Congress last year about former President Rodrigo Duterte's alleged reward system in his war on drugs, is now meeting with International Criminal Court (ICC) officials in Malaysia to potentially become a witness in the case against Duterte.

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This is according to Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, who confirmed Monday, September 8, that Garma is poised to testify before the ICC after being deported from the United States following a denied asylum application.

"I think she has agreed to be a witness, according to Sen. Trillanes," Remulla told reporters in an interview. "I've been working with Trillanes because we have no real official relationship with the ICC, except for that fact that we protect the witnesses who are here who may be the subject of an ICC request."

"As we speak, she's with them right now, with the ICC people in Malaysia," the DOJ chief added.

Garma's potential testimony carries significant weight as "the highest ranking police officer that can be asked to give a narrative about the drug war" and its "reward system," the DOJ chief said.

KEY WITNESS FOR PROSECUTION

Garma was deported to the Philippines from the United States on Saturday after immigration officials denied her asylum application.

"A few days ago, we got word that she was on the way home, and we waited for her arrival," Remulla said. "Once your asylum is denied and you have a cancelled visa, then you have no more reason to stay in the country."

Upon arrival in the Philippines, Garma was not arrested, Remulla said, because she only had an immigration lookout order, and not an arrest warrant.