Malacañang backs charges against ex-Napolcom chief Leonardo over Barayuga murder

Malacañang expressed support for the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Edilberto Leonardo, a recently resigned Napolcom commissioner linked to the murder of former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

House dangerous drugs panel chair Ace Barbers called for Leonard to face murder charges alongside retired police colonel Royina Garma in connection with Barayuga's assassination.

At the time of Barayuga’s death, Garma was the PCSO general manager while Leonardo served as a NAPOLCOM commissioner.

Leonardo resigned after being cited in contempt by the House Quad Committee for allegedly lying about events related to the killing of three Chinese drug convicts at Davao Prison and Penal Farm in August 2016.

Both Garma and Leonardo have denied any knowledge of Barayuga's assassination plot, with Leonardo also maintaining that a crucial meeting prior to the killings did not occur.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed on Monday that Malacañang would support the filing of complaints against Leonardo based on his alleged involvement in the killings during the Duterte administration.

The Palace will leave the decision to file charges entirely to the DOJ or Ombudsman.