MANILA – Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager and retired police colonel Royima Garma is not qualified to be granted political asylum.
She is not being politically persecuted in the Philippines and is being investigated for involvement in heinous crimes, according to Surigao del Sur 2nd District’s Cong. Johnny Pimentel.
“Asylum is being granted to those who are being politically persecuted, and this does not apply to Garma because she is not being politically persecuted,” Pimentel said in an interview with ANC eadstart on Tuesday.
Lawyer Emerito Quilang, the legal counsel of Garma, said on Monday that his client filed for asylum in November 2024 following her arrest in the US due to a canceled visa.
“I’m not privy to the things happening there in the asylum (case). What I know is that the asylum was set for initial hearing on April 2 but it was canceled and there is no setting yet,” Quilang said.
He added: “If the setting for the hearing of the asylum will be heard, then we would not know what would be the decision of the US government. If they will grant (asylum), they will release her from detention. If not, most probably they will use extradition treaty or she may come back voluntarily,” he added.
Quilang said they will be filing a counter-affidavit denying her participation in the death of PCSO Board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
“Actually, we are ready with the counter-affidavit today. But we want to avail of that last day which is May 2,” he said.
In February, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police submitted murder and attempted murder charges to the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Garma and several others in connection with the assassination of Barayuga in July 2020.
In a two-page referral letter addressed to Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, the NBI stated that “sufficient evidence has been collected to support the recommendation of murder and attempted murder charges” against Garma, retired police colonel Edilberto Leonardo, and Jeremy Causapin (also known as Toks).
Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Santie Mendoza, former police officer Nelson Mariano, an individual known as Lolo, and several unidentified persons were also recommended for inclusion in the charges.
In September 2024, Mendoza testified before the House of Representatives’ quad committee, asserting that Garma and Leonardo orchestrated the ambush that resulted in Barayuga’s death near the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City on July 30, 2020./PN
