Royina Garma US asylum application will likely be denied, according to Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel, who emphasized that Garma is not a victim of political persecution but is under investigation for her alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings and a reward system tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Pimentel explained that asylum is granted to individuals persecuted for their political beliefs, which is not the case with Col. Garma.
Among the allegations against Garma is her alleged involvement in a reward system for police officers who killed drug suspects, reportedly based on the so-called “Davao template” that originated during Rodrigo Duterte’s term as Davao City mayor.
Garma is also under investigation for her alleged connection to the killing of former PCSO board director Gen. Wesley Barayuga in 2020.
Garma has been in U.S. custody since November 2024 after attempting to enter the country using a cancelled visa, her lawyer Emerito Quilang said. She immediately applied for asylum and has since transferred her case to a different legal counsel overseas.
Her scheduled asylum hearing on April 2 was canceled and no new date has been set.
Pimentel believes Garma’s asylum application is a ploy to escape multiple charges filed against her, including her alleged leadership role in the murder of Barayuga.
She is also implicated in the 2016 killing of three alleged Chinese drug lords inside Davao Prison, alongside former Napolcom commissioner Edilberto Leonardo.
The lawmaker added that the House quad committee is considering sending an official letter to the U.S. government opposing Garma’s asylum bid.
Garma has also been linked to the Davao Death Squad and illegal Small Town Lottery (STL) operations during her tenure as PCSO chairperson. She currently faces multiple murder and frustrated murder complaints filed with the Department of Justice.