RETIRED Police Col. Royina Garma could be the “director” behind the killings of three suspected Chinese drug lords inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in 2016.

This is the assessment of Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel after four witnesses have identified Garma as the one directly giving instructions or coordinating the operation to eliminate Chinese nationals Chu Kin Tung, also known as Tony Lim; Li Lan Yan, alias Jackson Li; and Wong Meng Pin, alias Wang Ming Ping.

“Si Col. Garma ang nagsilbing ‘director’ ng pagpatay sa tatlong Chinese drug lords noong 2016,” Pimentel said during his interpellation of Garma at yesterday’s hearing of the House Quad Committee, which is investigating the extrajudicial killings linked to the brutal war on drugs under the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The witnesses include self-confessed hitmen Leopoldo “Tata” Tan Jr. and Fernando “Andy” Magdadaro, who carried out the killings; former DPPF warden Supt. Gerardo Padilla; and former policeman Jimmy Fortaleza, Garma’s classmate at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

Tan, Magdadaro, and Padilla testified that former President Duterte ultimately ordered the killings of the suspected Chinese drug lords as part of his anti-drug campaign.

Appearing before the Quad Committee for the first time, Garma denied the allegations linking her to the killings of the Chinese nationals.

She also denied any perceived “closeness” with former President Duterte, who appointed her as general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) after her resignation from the police force in 2018.

However, several lawmakers cast doubt on her denial, strongly believing that she would not have been appointed to the high-profile PCSO post or promoted to key police positions, including administrative officer of the Davao City police, without close ties to former President Duterte, who served as the long-time mayor of Davao City.

In his interpellation, Pimentel emphasized that Garma had multiple contacts with key figures involved in the DPPF operation.

“Inamin niya na siya mismo ang nagbigay ng mga direktiba. Tatlong beses silang nag-usap ni Jimmy Fortaleza para siguruhin na magiging maayos ang operasyon,” Pimentel said, referring to Garma’s admission of having conversations with Fortaleza. Garma, however, denied that these discussions were related to the plan to kill the Chinese drug lords.

Citing the sworn affidavits and testimonies of previous witnesses, Pimentel outlined a series of critical communications made by Garma, which implicated her in orchestrating the murders.

The first contact, according to Pimentel, took place in July 2016 when Garma visited Fortaleza alongside certain Colonels Villilla and Grijaldo.

During this meeting, Garma informed Fortaleza of an upcoming operation targeting the Chinese inmates at the DPPF.

“Inamin po ni Col. Garma kanina, dalawang beses niya po inamin na totoo na nakipagkita siya kay Jimmy Fortaleza at sinabi niyang magkakaroon ng operation,” Pimentel said.

The second contact occurred when Garma called Fortaleza, asking him to facilitate communication with Padilla.

Garma reportedly asked Fortaleza to bring a cellphone to ensure she could speak directly with Padilla.

“Sinabihan ni Col. Garma si Col. Padilla na huwag silang makialam sa operation na gagawin sa Davao Penal Colony [now DPPF],” Pimentel narrated, further exposing Garma’s critical role in the operation.

The third instance involved a call made by Garma on August 8, 2016, after a meeting at the station of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao, where the final plan for the killings was supposedly confirmed.

“Sinabihan niya si Jimmy Fortaleza, ‘may mga tao na kami diyan,’ referring to the executioners already in place to carry out the killing of the Chinese prisoners,” Pimentel elaborated.

The final contact between Garma and Fortaleza took place on August 11, just before the prisoners were killed.

According to Pimentel, Garma instructed Fortaleza to ensure the Chinese prisoners were fed and taken care of before their deaths.

“Tumawag uli si Col. Garma at sinabihan si Fortaleza, ‘Huwag mong pabayaan yung tatlong bilanggo, bigyan mo ng pagkain,’” Pimentel said.

Pimentel further noted the importance of these revelations, linking Garma’s actions directly to the killings and her deep involvement in coordinating the operations.