By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The leaders of the House Quad Committee affirmed on Wednesday (October 23, 2024) that retired Police Col. Edilberto Leonardo’s corroboration of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma’s twin affidavits has solidified the existence of a reward system that fueled extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
In a press conference, lead chairman Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, alongside co-chairmen Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. and Santa Rosa City Lone District Rep. Dan Fernandez, emphasized the significance of Leonardo’s testimony during the committee’s marathon hearing on Tuesday.
“It has been established that there was indeed a reward system [during the Duterte drug war]. ‘Di na pwedeng itanggi pa ng previous administration,” said Abante, who was instrumental in eliciting key responses from Leonardo, the former National Police Commission (Napolcom) commissioner.
“Na-establish ang point namin diyan. Whether it be his claim or not, it will be a burden of proof sa mga ayaw tumanggap. Di na sa kanila,” Abante added.
Barbers also stressed the importance of Leonardo’s corroboration of Garma’s statements.
“Ang kanyang ginawa ay kinoroborate at sinang-ayunan niya ‘yung testimonya na binigay ni Col. Garma sa kanyang sinumpaang salaysay. Meaning, he is in agreement with and approves the affidavit executed by Col. Garma,” Barbers explained.
Barbers further highlighted that no additional evidence was necessary since the committee had already established the existence of a reward system linked to extrajudicial killings.
“Meaning in the implementation of the war on drugs, may nangyayaring extrajudicial killings at ito nabibigyan ng reward. So ‘yan ang pinaka-importante na punto na sinang-ayunan at confirmed ni Col. Leonardo,” he noted.
Barbers also emphasized the need to officially document Leonardo’s corroboration in the committee’s findings.
“Ang kanyang pag-amin sa Quad Comm will be placed on the records, and we will use this record as the basis for our committee report,” he said.
“Once this reaches the concerned agencies like the DOJ (Department of Justice), the DOJ should conduct a more comprehensive, maybe preliminary, investigation. They might interview him or compel him to execute an affidavit,” Barbers added.
Fernandez, for his part, stated that the existence of a cash reward system in the drug war has been firmly established.
“Talagang na-establish na. Kung matatandaan niyo, nagsimula tayo doon sa Davao Colony kung saan may dalawang PDL (persons deprived of liberty), sina Tata, na nagsabi na binayaran sila ng tig-iisang milyon. Actually, nagoyo pa sila doon,” Fernandez recounted.
“Basically, naka-affidavit ‘yung mga ‘yan. Pati na si Warden Padilla, kino-confirm din niya may nag-utos para patayin at sinabi nila Tata may nag-deliver ng pera at binigay doon sa asawa niya,” Fernandez added.
“Ngayon, ‘yung kila Garma at Leonardo, mga confirmatory at corroborating na ‘yung mga yan. So kung titignan natin, talagang mayroon talaga. Wala naman makakapag-deny,” he concluded.
Fernandez stressed the importance of ensuring these findings become part of the committee’s official records. “Ang sinasabi natin, officially binanggit on record doon sa atin sa Quad Comm at ‘yan ang hinahabol natin na maging part of our hearing or records,” he said.
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