Police Lieutenant Colonel Santie Mendoza of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group and former Police Corporal Nelson Mariano detailed the roles of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma and NAPOLCOM Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the murder of former PCSO Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga in 2020.
Mendoza and Mariano appeared as witnesses at the House quad-committee hearing investigating extrajudicial killings and illegal drugs in the country during the Duterte administration.
In his testimony, Mendoza revealed that former PCSO General Manager Royina Garma allegedly instructed Napolcom Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo to have PCSO Board Secretary and former Police General Wesley Barayuga killed.
Mendoza claimed that Leonardo allegedly reached out to inform him that a person named "Talks" would contact him to request help in finding an assassin for a so-called special project targeting a high-value individual.
“Noong Hulyo 30, 2020 muling tumawag si Col. Leonardo at ipinaalam sa akin na ang target na si Wesley Barayuga ay nasa PCSO at maaari na naming isagawa ang operasyon,” Mendoza said during his opening statement on Friday.
Leonardo also allegedly sent Mendoza a photograph of Barayuga, claiming that the image had been provided to him by Garma.
“Sinabi niya na maaari na naming tirahin si Wesley Barayuga pagkatapos niyang lumabas sa gusali,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza further stated that he was promised Php 300,000 as payment for their work, but he only received Php 40,000.
The two police officers reportedly decided to come forward because they felt guilty and were fearful for their safety and that of their families. In the end, they sought forgiveness from Barayuga's bereaved family.
Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Johnny Pimentel revealed that Barayuga was reportedly prepared to testify against alleged irregularities in the PCSO during the Duterte administration before he was killed.
Pimentel revealed that before Barayuga was ambushed, he had reportedly compiled comprehensive documentation and evidence to uncover irregularities in the Small Town Lottery (STL).
“In fact, bago po siya napatay, itong si Gen. Barayuga, according to NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor, Gen. Barayuga was prepared with all the documents and in fact, he was prepared to testify against the corruption and illegal practices in PCSO,” Pimentel said.
During the committee hearing, Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro moved to place the two witnesses, Mendoza and Mariano, under the witness protection program after they identified Leonardo and Garma as those who allegedly ordered Barayuga's killing.
Moreover, Representative Pimentel requested that the committee report recommend filing murder charges against Garma and Leonardo.
