Palace backs filing of case vs ex-Napolcom exec linked to Barayuga slay

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin —Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said on Monday it would support the filing of criminal charges against resigned Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) amid allegations implicating him in the 2020 murder of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga and three Chinese drug convicts in 2016.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a statement, clarified it was leaving the matter of Leonardo’s criminal prosecution to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“The Palace will support the filing but will leave the decision to file entirely to the DOJ or the Ombudsman,” he said.

READ: Leonardo, tied to inmates and PCSO exec’s killings, quits Napolcom

Bersamin gave the assurance after announcing that President Marcos had accepted Leonardo’s resignation.

In a letter dated Oct. 8, Bersamin informed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the concurrent Napolcom chair, that Leonardo’s resignation has been accepted.

Leonardo stepped down as Napolcom chair on Oct. 4 after he was tagged during a House quad committee hearing as one of those who reportedly orchestrated the killing of Barayuga in July 2020.

He was also implicated in the murder of three Chinese drug convicts in August 2016 at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, where they were serving time.

At a previous House hearing, Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza said Leonardo and former PCSO general manager Royina Garma had conspired to kill Barayuga.

At the time, Garma was the sitting PCSO general manager while Leonardo was a Napolcom commissioner.