GARMA’S LAWYERS ASSERT QUAD COMM CHAIRMEN DID NOT COERCE GRIJALDO

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Two lawyers representing retired police Col. Royina Garma have asserted that two Quad Comm co-chairmen did not coerce Police Col. Hector Grijaldo into confirming the existence of a lucrative reward system for rogue policemen and hitmen who killed drug targets during the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.

Grijaldo made the coercion claim during the Senate’s initial drug war probe on October 28.

During the 10th hearing today, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro revealed a joint statement signed by lawyers Emerito Quilang and Rotoiv Cumigad, who were invited as witnesses to a meeting between Quad Comm co-chairmen Representatives Dan Fernandez of Laguna, Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila, and Grijaldo.

“I wish to invite the attention of the committee and the general public about this joint statement from the two lawyers, whom I believe were present during that alleged incident or meeting,” Luistro said.

“If I may quote, Mr. Chair, the two lawyers state in this joint statement,” she added, before proceeding to read from Quilang’s and Cumigad’s statement:

“We would like to shed light on the nature of the interactions we observed. The discussions were focused on ensuring clarity and understanding of Col. Garma’s affidavit, particularly regarding any knowledge Col. Grijaldo might have about the reward system mentioned in it. At no point did any of the congressmen attempt to pressure Mr. Grijaldo into conforming to a predetermined narrative.”

“Mr. Chair, I wish to manifest that this letter clearly clears Chairman Abante and Chairman Fernandez from the allegation of coercion and harassment during the incident that allegedly transpired during the hearing where Col. Grijaldo attended, as testified during the Senate investigation,” Luistro told her colleagues.

“With the enlightenment provided by the counsels of record of Col. Garma, I am urging the Quad Committee, particularly Chairman Abante and Chairman Fernandez, to take the necessary actions to penalize the perjured statement that Col. Grijaldo gave during the Senate investigation,” she added.

After Luistro’s remarks, lead committee chairman Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte declared that the two lawyers’ joint statement be included in the mega panel’s record.

“Let it be on record that the letter sent to us by the lawyers of Col. Garma attests to the fact that no pressure was employed in the meeting held between Cong. Fernandez, Cong. Abante, and Col. Grijaldo,” he said.

Barbers instructed the Quad Comm secretary to provide copies of the lawyers’ statement to Grijaldo and the Senate.

In their joint declaration, Quilang and Cumigad, who were witnesses during the meeting between Representatives Abante, Fernandez, and Grijaldo, said, “We feel compelled to address the recent claims made regarding the supposed coercion and manipulation of testimony involving Colonel Garma’s affidavit.”

“First and foremost, we wish to clarify that we were called solely as witnesses or observers during this meeting. Our role was limited to observing the meeting, and we did not engage in any discussions. The dialogue was primarily between Congressman Dan Fernandez and Congressman Abante, who were the only individuals actively speaking,” they said.

“The discussions were focused on ensuring clarity and understanding of Colonel Garma’s affidavit, particularly regarding any knowledge Colonel Grijaldo might have about the reward system mentioned in it. At no point did any of the congressmen attempt to pressure Mr. Grijaldo into conforming to a predetermined narrative,” they emphasized.

The two lawyers further stated, “Throughout the meeting, we can affirm that we did not witness any form of coercion or undue influence directed toward Mr. Grijaldo. The discussions taking place were cordial and respectful.”

They pointed out that the two Quad Comm co-chairmen “engaged in a dialogue that was both professional and focused on the matters at hand.”

“At no point did we see or hear any actions or statements that could be interpreted as pressuring Mr. Grijaldo to conform to a specific narrative,” they stressed.

The lawyers emphasized their “commitment to integrity and transparency in the inquiry process.”

“Our intention in providing this statement is to clarify the nature of the interactions that occurred and to provide an unbiased and factual account of the events,” they said.

Garma and retired police Col. Jovie Espenido have testified to the existence of a well-funded reward system for killing drug suspects.

Espenido said funds for the rewards “flowed from the level of Sen. Bong Go (close aide of former President Rodrigo Duterte).”

He added that the incentive scheme was funded through intelligence funds and proceeds from illegal gambling activities like jueteng, Philippine offshore gaming operators, and the notorious small-town lotteries (STL) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Garma also stated that several police officers close to Duterte were given lucrative STL franchises.

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