(UPDATE) PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil on Sunday ordered the reopening of the case involving the killing of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga in 2020.
Marbil said he was prompted to reopen the Barayuga case following testimonies during a House quad committee hearing last Friday that implicated ranking police officials in the killing.
Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza testified that he was instructed by National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo and former PCSO general manager Royina Garma to take down Barayuga, who was also a retired police general.
Mendoza said Garma, who was also a former police official, provided him with information on Barayuga, whom she linked to illegal drug activities.
Mendoza, who is presently assigned at the PNP Drug Enforcement Group Headquarters in Camp Crame, said he was offered P300,000 for killing Barayuga.
Mendoza said Garma’s order to kill Barayuga was relayed to him through Leonardo.
He said Leonardo contacted him for a “special operation” against Barayuga.
Garma, who was at the hearing, denied Mendoza’s claim.
Marbil said the information that surfaced during the quad hearing highlighted the need for a more thorough investigation of Barayuga’s death.
“No one is above the law, and we will seek justice for retired general Wesley Barayuga and his family with the full resources of the PNP,” he said.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), under its new director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, has been assigned to lead the reinvestigation.
Marbil said the CIDG would reevaluate all evidence in light of the new testimony and work closely with relevant agencies to ensure the process is thorough, impartial and transparent.
“We are committed to uncovering the truth, regardless of the position or power of those involved. The public can rest assured that we will hold those responsible accountable,” Marbil said.
Justice for Barayuga
On Sunday, batchmates of Barayuga in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) expressed confidence his family would finally get justice following the identification of his killer.
Members of PMA Matikas Class of 1983 also hailed the quad committee of the House of Representatives for conducting an investigation that shed light on the death of Barayuga.
In a letter to Speaker Martin Romualdez, the group said the Barayuga family will finally attain justice now that the personalities allegedly involved in his death have been revealed.
“And on behalf of the family of our dear mistah, we also convey their profound gratitude for the identification of the suspected assailants. It may not bring our dear Wesley back, but it is reassuring that there are people in government who are doing their best to bring the perpetrators to justice,” it said.
The group said the quad committee’s “persistent efforts and incisive line of questioning have given light and hope for the successful resolution of Wesley’s tragic assassination four years ago.”
Romualdez thanked the Matikas Class for their trust and confidence in the committee. “Rest assured, our quad members will continue to look for the truth amid the bashing and hate messages from a certain sector,” he said.
Be the first to comment