Former ranking police officer and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma left the country last November 7, according to a report by ABS-CBN.
Garma reportedly flew to Washington, DC in the United States with her daughter, the network said, citing unnamed sources.
In a press conference by the members of the House Quad Committee on Tuesday, lead chairperson and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers would not confirm the information.
“She (Garma) was there during our last hearing. She was with former colonel (Edilberto) Leonardo, he was also there with his lawyers… So, we have no idea if she left the country… I have no information,” Barbers told reporters.
The Quad Comm held its most recent inquiry on issues related to the ‘war on drugs’ and extrajudicial killings on November 7, the same day Garma reportedly left the country.
When asked if Garma’s presence would no longer be needed in the succeeding hearings of the joint congressional panel, Barbers said all resource persons have been advised to make themselves available whenever they will be called again.
“If there are any other [witnesses] that will come out and again perhaps mention the names of these personalities, then we will have to invite them, so that they will be given the opportunity to face each other—the accuser and the accused,” he said.
Garma, who was among the trusted Davao-based police officers of former President Rodrigo Duterte, disclosed the alleged rewards system for cops that neutralized drug suspects during the anti-narcotics campaign of the previous administration.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. Manila Standard is currently confirming the report with the Bureau of Immigration. This story will be updated.
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