PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil yesterday called on his predecessors to clarify their roles on the “bloody war on drugs” during the previous Rodrigo Duterte administration amid serious allegations made by retired Colonel Royina Garma that

Garma, who resigned from the police service to become the general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office during the Duterte presidency, claimed that the former chief executive and his other high-ranking officials sanctioned covert operations replicating the Davao City model of alleged extrajudicial killings on a national scale.

PNP chiefs during the Duterte administration were now retired Generals Ronald ‘Bato’ M. dela Rosa, now a senator, Oscar D. Albayalde, Archie Francisco F. Gamboa, the late Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan, Debold M. Sinas, Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar and Dionardo B. Carlos and PNP Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant Gen. Vicente D. Danao.

It was under Gen. Dela Rosa that the PNP started its ‘bloody war on drugs’ which killed at least 6,000 drug personalities in reported gunfights with the police. The bloody campaign however was known to have taken a virtual dive during the tenure of Gamboa.

Dela Rosa, Albayalde, Gamboa and Cascolan are all members of Philippine Military Academy ‘Sinagtala’ Class of 1986 while Sinas and Eleazar are from PMA ‘Hinirang’ Class of 1987.

Carlos is from PMA ‘Maringal’ Class of 1988 while Danao is a classmate of Gen. Marbil from PMA ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991.

“We take these allegations very seriously. We will thoroughly investigate Garma’s claims to ensure accountability and transparency within our ranks,” Gen. Marbil said.

The top cop likewise underscored the importance of restoring public trust in the PNP, particularly in light of the recalibrated anti-drug campaign aimed at prioritizing human rights.

Garma made the revelations during a recent Quad-Committee (QuadComm) hearing, presenting a matrix which suggested that former PNP Chiefs were aware of these covert operations.

The former PCSO official claimed that the Duterte administration implemented a tiered reward system for cops involved in the war on drugs. The amount allegedly was as high as P1 million for drug personalities ‘eliminated’ on a national scale.

In her sworn statement, she also implicated Colonel Edilberto Leonardo who had just recently resigned as a commissioner of the National Police Commission as a key figure in implementing the alleged scheme.

Garma recounted her initial interactions with Duterte, which began with a direct call instructing her to report to his residence in Davao City. In that meeting, she claimed that Duterte tasked her with identifying a high-ranking officer in the PNP to lead a national anti-drug initiative.

Garma identified Col. Leonardo, alleging that he subsequently collaborated with Duterte and his aide, now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, to establish a new Task Force comprising so-called “liquidators” across the country.

Her affidavit named several members of the PNP Academy (PNPA) Classes of 1996 and 1997, whom she alleged have actively participated in these operations. Garma belongs to PNPA Class 1997 while Leonardo is originally from PNPA Class 1996 but graduated as a member of PNPA Class 1998.

Gen. Marbil said he has ordered a thorough investigation into Garma’s serious allegations.

“Our commitment to human rights and accountability is paramount. We must work diligently to regain the trust of the people and ensure that law enforcement operates within the bounds of the law,” he said.

The PNP chief also announced that measures would be implemented to strengthen public confidence and prevent similar abuses in future operations.

Garma has pledged to provide more details and names in an upcoming Executive Session with the QuadComm, raising questions about the potential serious implications for those involved in the controversial drug policies of the Duterte administration.

For his part, Gen. Marbil reiterated that the PNP remains dedicated to upholding justice and restoring faith in its operations, reinforcing its commitment to protecting human rights.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon