Malacañang to back charges vs ex-Napolcom exec in murder raps

Malacañang will support the filing of criminal and administrative charges against former Napolcom Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, who is implicated in the murder of former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that the Palace would back the charges but leave the final decision to the Department of Justice or the Ombudsman.

Leonardo was tagged in a House of Representatives Quad Committee hearing as one of those who allegedly planned the killing of Barayuga in 2020 and three Chinese drug convicts in 2016.

During a hearing, Police Lt. Col. Santi Mendoza implicated Leonardo, saying Leonardo contacted him about operating a high-value drug target who happened to be Barayuga.

Senior Supt. Gerardo Padilla, former Davao prison chief, also bared that he had a conversation with Leonardo and former Police Col. Royina Garma about killing three Chinese nationals in the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in August 2016.

Malacañang confirmed Leonardo had resigned from his position.

Leonardo had previously resigned from his position after being cited in contempt by the House Quad Committee for alleged dishonesty.

Both Garma and Leonardo have denied any involvement or knowledge of a plot to kill Barayuga.