NBI, PNP file murder complaints vs. Garma, Leonardo in Barayuga case

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) filed murder and frustrated murder complaints on Monday against former PCSO general manager Royina Garma, former NAPOLCOM commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, and six others in connection with the 2020 assassination of retired police general Wesley Barayuga.

Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza and former police officer Nelson Mariano are among those charged but have been recommended as state witnesses due to their cooperation during the investigation.

Both Garma and Leonardo denied being masterminds behind Barayuga's fatal ambush near the PCSO office in Mandaluyong City, despite testimony by Mendoza and Mariano before the House Quad Committee last September identifying them as such.

The case marks a significant development with the National Prosecution Service set to evaluate the complaint before setting a preliminary investigation hearing.

Garma also testified about former President Rodrigo Duterte's instruction to implement the 'Davao Model' nationwide, which included rewarding police officers based on drug-related killings.

In light of these developments, Garma is expected to be deported from the United States after her visa was canceled last November.