Former Philippine Police Official Royina Garma Faces Murder Allegations, Linked to Duterte‘s drug War Strategy
Royina Garma, a retired philippine National Police (PNP) Colonel, has become a central figure in controversy, facing murder charges in the Philippines while seeking asylum in the United states. Her career trajectory reveals a close association with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature “war on drugs.”
Garma rose through the ranks of the PNP, eventually becoming City Director of the Cebu City Police Office from June 13, 2018, to June 30, 2019. Prior to this, in May 2016, she met with then-President-elect Duterte, who reportedly tasked her with identifying an officer to replicate the “Davao model” for a nationwide anti-drug campaign.
The “Davao model,” as Garma explained during a House Quad Committee inquiry,involved a system of payments and rewards ranging from P20,000 to P1 million. This system has drawn scrutiny regarding its potential for incentivizing extrajudicial killings.
Garma’s involvement in the implementation of this strategy came under intense questioning. She was summoned before the House quad Committee following testimony from former Davao Penal and Prison farm head Senior Supt. Gerardo Padilla, who alleged that Garma instructed him not to interfere in operations targeting Chinese inmates convicted of drug offenses.She was subsequently cited in contempt by the House Quadcom for allegedly “lying and evading questions.”
In 2019, President Duterte appointed Garma as general manager and vice-chairperson of the Philippine charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), replacing Alexander Balutan. However, she soon faced further allegations.
Garma is currently facing complaints for murder and frustrated murder related to the 2020 killing of former PCSO board secretary wesley Barayuga, allegations she has denied.
Following her arrest in California in November 2024 due to a canceled visa, Garma filed for asylum in the United states, according to her lawyer, Emerito Quilang. The Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered the Bureau of Immigration to facilitate her return to the Philippines. As of June 9, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Garma remains at a US immigration facility.
