House cites police colonel in contempt for refusing to answer questions

Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo Jr. was cited for contempt again by the House of Representatives quad committee after he refused to answer questions about his testimony before the Senate.

During a hearing, Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop questioned Grijaldo about his claim that two House officials, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., coerced him into confirming former police colonel Royina Garma's allegations about the drug war.

Garma previously alleged that former President Rodrigo Duterte implemented a rewards system in his administration's drug war, where police officers received monetary grants for killing drug suspects, with rewards ranging from P20,000 to P1 million.

Grijaldo had previously invoked his right against self-incrimination when asked to confirm his statements before the Senate blue ribbon sub-committee.

He claimed in the Senate hearing that a security official asked him to leave the quad committee's hearing room to meet with Fernandez and Abante, where the two lawmakers allegedly pressured him to confirm Garma's claims.

Fernandez and Abante inhibited themselves and took an oath, expressing their willingness to answer questions as resource persons regarding the allegations.

Garma's lawyers, who were present during the alleged meeting, issued a joint affidavit stating they did not witness any form of coercion.