PNP official testifies on alleged drug war rewards system

During a Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee hearing on Monday, October 28, a Philippine National Police (PNP) official alleged that House QuadCom co-chair Dan Fernandez instructed him to confirm the existence of a drug war rewards system.

Former PNP Drug Enforcement Group Col. Hector Grijaldo testified and detailed an October 22 meeting with Fernandez and Manila Rep. Benny Abante where he was urged but refused to corroborate details about the reward system, stating that Fernandez showed him a supplemental affidavit from retired colonel Royina Garma asking him to confirm his knowledge of the rewards.

On Tuesday, Fernandez denied Grijaldo's claims in a press conference, stating that the meeting with Grijaldo was initiated upon Garma's request and was part of the quad committee's vetting process.

Fernandez clarified that he did not pressure Grijaldo into signing affidavits or confirming information without personal knowledge, suggesting instead that the witness' presence before Garma's testimony was unexpected as he was not formally invited by the committee.

Garma had previously testified at the House of Representatives' quad committee hearings and claimed former president Rodrigo Duterte called her in May 2016 about creating a national task force implementing the Davao template, rewarding operatives who kill drug suspects with rewards ranging from P20,000 to P1 million.

Abante also denied forcing anyone to sign affidavits or confirm information without personal knowledge and suggested that Grijaldo's testimony was unnecessary as other evidence corroborated Garma’s claims.