House panel orders detention of ex-PCSO GM Garma for contempt

The House of Representatives' "quad committee" ordered the detention of retired police colonel Royina Garma for contempt after she lied and evaded questions during an inquiry into the drug war.

Garma was cited in contempt for her responses regarding her relationship with former President Rodrigo Duterte and her swift appointment as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager.

She was implicated by at least four resource persons as the individual who allegedly relayed instructions from former President Duterte to execute three suspected Chinese drug lords inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in 2016.

The panel approved the motion to detain Garma at the Batasan complex until the investigation is concluded or she decides to cooperate.

Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers stated that the committee would be willing to reconsider if Garma changes her mind and cooperates.