Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma and her daughter, Angelica Vilela, were arrested and are currently detained in San Francisco, California, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed Tuesday, November 12.
Garma allegedly left the country for Washington, DC, on November 7, 2024.
DOJ Spokesperson Mico Clavano stated that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have confirmed the arrest and detention of the former police colonel and her daughter in the United States.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla directed Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Viado to "facilitate" the return of former police colonel Royina Garma to the Philippines.
"While we work to ensure the safe return of Ms. Garma, we trust that she will remain cooperative with all ongoing investigations," Remulla stated.
In a separate statement, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that Garma did not have a hold departure order, which is why she was allowed to leave the country. However, her US visa was canceled, which was the primary reason she was flagged down by US immigration authorities.
Garma implicated former President Rodrigo Duterte during the House quad-committee hearings, alledging that he implemented a reward system during the previous administration's campaign against illegal drugs.
This is a developing story.
