It has been confirmed by the former warden of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, Supt. Gerardo Padilla, that he received a call from former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, congratulating him after two inmates killed three Chinese drug lords inside the prison.
Padilla made his affirmation in a supplemental affidavit submitted to the Quad Committee, which he signed on September 4, 2024.
In his supplemental affidavit, Padilla supported the earlier statement of Leopoldo “Tata” Tan Jr., who claimed that Duterte called Padilla to congratulate him after the successful mission to eliminate three Chinese drug lords: Chu Kin Tung, alias Tony Lim; Li Lan Yan, alias Jackson Li; and Wong Meng Pin, alias Wang Ming Ping.
According to Padilla, while he was escorting Tan and Magdadaro, both handcuffed, to the investigation section, he received the call from the former president.
Padilla added that he immediately informed his companions that the president had called to congratulate him.
He further noted his concerns about the safety of his family in Davao City, which prompted him to declare in a previous counter-affidavit on August 27, 2024, that he had not received a call from Duterte.
In his second supplemental affidavit signed on September 9, Padilla corroborated former policeman Jimmy Fortaleza’s account of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three drug lords.
Padilla also admitted that he had a phone conversation with Royina Garma, who told him not to interfere.
He was also approached by Col. Leonardo, who informed him that the three Chinese would soon be killed.
Garma, a known close associate of former President Duterte, was later appointed as the general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
She is one of the resource persons at the Quad Committee hearings investigating extra-judicial killings, illegal drugs, and POGO operations.