NO COERCION
TWO lawyers of retired police Col. Royina Garma have assured that two Quad Comm co-chairmen did not coerce Police Col. Hector Grijaldo into confirming the existence of “reward system” for rogue policemen and hitmen who killed drug targets during the Duterte administration’s blood war on drugs.
Grijaldo made the coercion claim during the Senate’s initial drug war inquiry last October 28.
At the resumption of the House Quad Committee hearing, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro revealed a joint statement signed by lawyers Emerito Quilang and Rotciv Cumigad who were invited to serve as witnesses during a meeting between Quad Comm co-chairmen Dan Fernandez of Laguna and Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila, and Grijaldo.
“I wish to invite the attention of the committee and the general public about this joint statement of the two lawyers whom I believe were present during that alleged incident or meeting,” Luistro said.
“We would like to shed light on the nature of the interactions we observed the discussions were focused on ensuring clarity and understanding of Col. Garman’s affidavit particularly regarding any knowledge Col. Grijaldo might have about the reward system mentioned in it. At no point did any of the congressmen attempt to pressure Mr. Grijaldo into conforming to a predetermined narrative,” the joint statement read.
Luistro said this clears clearly Chairman Abante and Chairman Fernandez from the allegation of coercion and harassment about that incident which allegedly transpired during the hearing where Col. Grijaldo attended as testified to during the Senate investigation.
The lady lawmaker then suggested necessary action in order to penalize the perjured statement that Col. Grijaldo gave during the Senate investigation.
Committee over-all chairman Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte declared that the two lawyers’ joint statement be part of the mega panel’s record.
In their joint declaration, Quilang and Cumicad said as witnesses during the meeting between Representatives Abante and Fernandez and Grijaldo, “we feel compelled to address the recent claims made regarding the supposed coercion and manipulation of testimony involving Colonel Garma’s affidavit.”
“First and foremost, we wish to clarify that we were called solely to be witnesses or observers during this meeting. Our role was limited to observing the meeting, and we did not engage in any discussions. The dialogue was primarily between Congressman Dan Fernandez and Congressman Abante, who were the only individuals actively speaking,” they said.
“The discussions were focused on ensuring clarity and understanding of Colonel Garma’s affidavit, particularly regarding any knowledge Colonel Grijaldo might have about the reward system mentioned in it. At no point did any of the congressmen attempt to pressure Mr. Grijaldo into conforming to a predetermined narrative,” they said.
The two lawyers added, “Throughout the meeting, we can affirm that we did not witness any form of coercion or undue influence directed toward Mr. Grijaldo. The discussions taking place were cordial and respectful.”
They pointed out that the two Quad Comm co-chairmen “engaged in a dialogue that was both professional and focused on the matters at hand.”
“At no point did we see or hear any actions or statements that could be interpreted as pressuring Mr. Grijaldo to conform to a specific narrative,” they stressed.
The two lawyers highlighted their “commitment on integrity and transparency in the inquiry process.”
“Our intention in providing this statement is to clarify the nature of the interactions that occurred and to provide an unbiased and factual account of the events,” they said.
Garma and retired police Col. Jovie Espenido have testified to the existence of the well-funded reward system for killing drug suspects.
Espenido said funds for the rewards “flowed from the level of Sen. Bong Go (close aide of former President Rodrigo Duterte).”
He said the incentive scheme was funded from intelligence funds and proceeds from illegal gambling activities like jueteng, Philippine offshore gambling operators and the notorious small-town lotteries (STL) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Garma said several police officers close to Duterte were given lucrative STL franchises.
