Castro praises Garma for bravely exposing drug rewards system

Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Royina Garma during the House of Representatives quadruple committee hearing on crimes linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and extra judicial killings during Duterte administration, and the illegal drug trade in this file photo taken on September 27, 2024. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and retired police colonel Royina Garma used to be on opposing sides — Castro, with activists and human rights defenders calling out the past administration’s bloody drug war, while Garma was one of the officers trusted to implement the anti-drug campaign.

But on Tuesday, it appears that Garma found solace in Castro — who revealed that they hugged for a while during the previous hearing.

Castro, on the other hand, praised Garma for her bravery as she testified to the existence of a rewards system for former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.

“So Col. Garma is very brave, she showed us her cooperation and bravery because this is what we want, to get a sample of a rewards system.  You are detained at the detention center of the House, right?  Is it okay?  Are you comfortable?” Castro said during the House of Representatives’ quad committee hearing.

“Okay naman po. I was able to adjust,” Garma replied.

After this, Castro then admitted that Garma hugged her and said that she felt relieved for telling the truth before the quad committee.

“You know Mr. Chair, disclosure.  During the last hearing, Col. Garma met in the comfort room.  I was shocked that she hugged me.  She said she felt relieved, and I said well, it’s a good thing that you’re cooperating so that we can see the truth,” Castro said in a mix of Filipino and English.

“You know Mr. Chair, disclosure.  During the last hearing, Col. Garma met in the comfort room.  I was shocked that she hugged me.  She said she felt relieved, and I said well, it’s a good thing that you’re cooperating so that we can see the truth,” Castro said.

“And she said her daughter pushed her to tell the truth.  This is what makes our burden lighter.  I know this, as a mother of two boys, it’s really a big deal if it is your child requesting you to do the right thing; it would really hit your conscience.  I know the sacrifices that a mother makes in these situations,” Castro added.

After Castro’s statements, she was able to let Garma admit that Duterte had called her while in detention to explain why he wanted an Iglesia ni Cristo member to head the national task force that he visualized in 2016.

READ: Garma: Duterte called to explain choice for drug war task force leader 

During the quad committee’s hearing last October 11, Garma admitted that Duterte called her in May 2016 — after the latter won in the presidential race —  directing her to find a police operative that can implement the drug war on a nationwide scale, with the Davao template in mind.

Garma said that the Davao template refers to the provision of rewards to police officers who can kill drug suspects.

According to Garma, Duterte wanted an Iglesia ni Cristo member as head.  Eventually it would be revealed that Duterte had this preference because Iglesia members are good with money.

Garma said she told Duterte that she is unaware of “any individual with those qualifications” as she has not been assigned outside of Davao.  However, she remembered her upperclassman, former police colonel Edilberto Leonardo.

Garma also said that Leonardo told her that he had made a proposal outlining the task force’s operations, coursed through Senator Bong Go, who was then the special assistant to Duterte.

She also admitted that initially, she facilitated the meetings between Go and Leonardo.  Eventually, Garma said that the two men “established direct communication.”

Then on Tuesday, Garma admitted that the Davao Death Squad — said to be Duterte’s hit team tasked to kill drug suspects — existed.

READ: Garma claims DDS’ existence ‘common knowledge’ among cops 

After her questions, Castro even offered advice to Garma, after learning that she asked for forgiveness from Duterte.

“Actually nag-sorry po ako.  Yes, I said I’m sorry,” Garma said.

“Maybe that’s part of our culture.  But we shouldn’t say sorry to him, because it is him, former president Duterte, who should ask for forgiveness for the thousands of people — young people and innocent ones — whom he had killed,” Castro said in Filipino.