Lawmakers urge retired cop to reveal drug war rewards

Retired police colonel Royina Garma's allegations about a rewards system in the Duterte administration's drug war have sparked concern among lawmakers.

Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khongkun and La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V say Garma's revelations provide insight into the inner workings of the previous government, while House committee on human rights chairperson Bienvenido Abante Jr. urged her to reveal everything.

Khongkun emphasized that Garma's testimony is credible and cannot be easily dismissed, especially if corroborated by other witnesses or evidence, while Ortega noted that her disclosure highlights a deeper issue involving thousands of lives lost during the drug war.

Abante believes Garma’s statements are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what she knows about extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and urged her to tell the whole truth.

The lawmakers stressed that the quad panel is committed to thoroughly investigating all allegations and ensuring accountability for those responsible, including inquiries into specific cases like the killing of Wesley Barayuga and three Chinese nationals detained at Davao Prison in 2016.