Quadcom warns ex-PCSO chief against snubbing hearing

MANILA: Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Sunday issued a stern warning against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma to attend the Sept. 3 hearing of the Quad Committee or face contempt. Barbers, chairperson of the quadcom and dangerous drugs panel, said they already issued a subpoena to Garma, requiring her to appear before the ongoing investigation into cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, illegal drug proliferation and other related crimes. The joint panel has uncovered significant evidence that suggested her role in orchestrating unlawful operations during her tenure with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Davao. Garma, 51, was once deputy chief of maintenance of the CIDG technical support division and head of the Women and Children Protection Desk of Davao City. A member of the Philippine National Police Academy "Kapanalig" Class of 1997, she was the first female director of CIDG-Central Visayas and first fe male chief of the Cebu City police. Testimonies presented to the committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts implicated Garma in the killings of three Chinese nationals, Chu Kin Tung, Jackson Li, and Wong, who were serving sentences for drug-related offenses at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm. Witnesses alleged that Garma was instrumental in planning and overseeing the targeted killings. 'These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of abuse that we believe Garma had a direct hand in. The gravity of these allegations cannot be overstated,' Barbers said. 'We need her testimony to understand fully how these operations were conducted and to hold accountable all those involved.' Barbers warned that should Garma refuse to attend the hearing, the quadcom will issue a warrant for her arrest. 'This is a matter of national importance and we will not tolerate any obstruction to this investigation,' he warned. Source: Philippines News Agency