Retired Police Colonel Royina Garma confirmed in a supplemental affidavit before the Quad Committee, the existence of the Davao Death Squad (DDS).
During the ninth joint hearing, Garma recalled how the DDS was an open secret among police officers, stating that operations were conducted in secret. The said ‘culture of silence’ prevailed among the officers.
“I became aware of the so-called Davao Death Squad through various sources during my assignment in Davao. It was common knowledge among police officers that all station commanders had special teams designated for special operations,” Garma said in a supplemental affidavit.
“Although I did not know the identity of these teams, a ‘culture of silence’ prevailed among police officers in Davao regarding such matters,” she added.
According to Garma, teams were spread out to different sections, as operations were conducted in hushed tones. However, the former is not aware of the said special teams, as she was staying at the main office at the time.
She can recall her observations on the rewards system during her time as station commander in police stations at Sasa and Sta. Ana. Garma said that a reward of Php 20,000 was given if the suspect was neutralized. If the person was not killed, a refund of operational expenses will be given.
Reimbursements for the said operational expenses included the costs for buy-bust money and gasoline.
On the same hearing, former Senator Leila de Lima revealed that the drug war model was patterned after the Davao Death Squad, as it began operations in 1988.
