The House of Representatives Quad Committee has issued a stern warning to former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma, a retired police lieutenant colonel, to attend the upcoming committee hearing or face arrest.
According to Quad Committee lead chairman Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, a subpoena has already been issued for Garma, requiring her presence at the ongoing investigation. The committee is probing various cases, including extrajudicial killings, illegal drug activities, human trafficking, and other related crimes.
Barbers revealed that the Quad Committee has uncovered significant evidence linking Garma to illegal operations during her tenure with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Davao.
Testimonies from several witnesses have pointed to Garma’s involvement in extrajudicial killings, specifically in the deaths of three Chinese nationals—Chu Kin Tung, Jackson Li, and Wong—who were convicted on drug charges and detained at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm.
“These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of abuse that we believe Garma had a direct hand in. The gravity of these allegations cannot be overstated,” Barbers stated.
The committee emphasized the importance of Garma’s attendance at the next hearing on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, to clarify her role in these crimes.
Barbers further warned that should Garma fail to appear, the committee would have no choice but to issue a warrant for her arrest.
“Refusing to testify would be a serious act of defiance against the rule of law and could be seen as an attempt to hide the truth. We have the authority and the resolve to compel her testimony, and we are prepared to use all legal means necessary to ensure her compliance,” Barbers added.