Retired Police Colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma said that she received a phone call from former President Rodrigo Duterte after the shocking revelations on the war on drugs rewards system.
Garma disclosed the information before the House Quad Committee's ninth public hearing on Tuesday, October 22. During ACT Teachers Party-list Rep.France Castro interpellation, Garma recalled her phone call with Duterte.
According to Garma, the former President explained why he specifically asked for a police officer who is part of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), who can implement the campaign against drugs on a national scale.
“Your Honor ang sabi niya is, mapagkakatiwalaan sa pera ang Iglesia ni Cristo,” the retired police colonel said.
Garma said in her affidavit that Duterte initiated this conversation back in May 2016, to discuss plans on upscaling the rewards system of the Davao model.
Castro then asked if Duterte tried to stop her from testifying before the joint Committee, but Garma said that no such remarks were spoken of. However, the former PCSO general manager confessed that she apologized to Duterte during their phone call.
“Actually, nag-sorry po ako. Yes, I said I'm sorry,” she confessed.
Despite Garma's apologetic state, Castro assured the former that she shouldn't apologize, as thousands of lives were taken during the war on drugs campaign.
“Hindi pa tayo dapat mag-sorry sa kanya. Dahil dapat mag sorry siya, si former President Duterte, doon sa libu-libong tao, mga kabataan, mga inosente, na pinatay niya,” Castro said.
It was established in previous hearings that Garma was a close ally of Duterte, highlighting her involvement and knowledge on the said campaign.
