Cop claims Garma, Leonardo ordered killing of PCSO exec

Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma and current National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo have been tagged as masterminds in the fatal ambush of another PCSO official in July 2020.

- SHEILA CRISOSTOMO

The alleged involvement of Garma and Leonardo in the killing of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga was revealed by police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza at yesterday's hearing of the House of Representatives' quad committee on extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration.

In his testimony, Mendoza recalled receiving a call from Leonardo in October 2019 informing him of a "special project involving a high-value individual who is believed involved in illegal drugs." Mendoza noted he was hesitant, but an insistent Leonardo instructed him without giving further details - to wait for a "go signal." In another call in February 2020, Mendoza said Leonardo informed him that the target was Barayuga.

Upon learning of Barayuga's position, Mendoza said he sought further verification but was dissuaded by Leonardo, claiming that the order came from Garma, a former police colonel.

"Despite my hesitation... I was forced to comply because the order came from the higher-up and Col.

Leonardo is an upperclassman while Ma'am Garma is a member of the Cabinet," Mendoza said at the hearing.

According to Mendoza, he felt he had no choice but to follow the kill order for fear of his and his family's lives, as Leonardo and Garma were both close to former president Rodrigo Duterte.