MANILA, Philippines — Former police colonel Edilberto Leonardo has corroborated fellow ex-police colonel Royina Garma’s testimonies, confirming the existence of a rewards system previously administration’s drug conflict.
On the ninth listening to of the Home of Representatives’ quad committee that began on Tuesday and lapsed to Wednesday, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. requested Leonardo to reply sure or no to his questions.
READ: Garma says Davao drug conflict template, rewards system utilized in whole PH
Abante, chairperson of the Home committee on human rights, requested Leonardo if he believes the 2 affidavits issued by Garma relating to the rewards system and the existence of the Davao Dying Squad (DDS).
READ: Garma bares financial reward vary beneath ‘Davao drug conflict template’
“Ito na po ang query ko (my query is that this), and this may solely be answerable by sure or no. I’m not going to ask anymore clarification, Col. Leonardo, sagutin niyo lang ako ng (simply reply) sure or no. Doon sa dalawang affidavit ni (from the 2 affidavits of) Col. Garma na nabasa mo at napakinggan mo (that you just learn and heard). ’Yan ba ay pinapaniwalaan mo? Sure or no?” Abante requested.
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“Sure Mr. Chair,” Leonardo stated.
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Abante then clarified if Leonardo believes within the existence of a rewards system for cops who’re in a position to kill drug suspects, previously administration’s drug conflict.
“Pangalawang tanong (second query), additionally answerable by sure or no. Naniniwala ka ba na merong (do you imagine within the existence of ) rewards system? Sure or no?” Abante requested once more.
“Could narinig ako (I heard about it), sure Mr. Chair,” Leonardo famous.
“Sure or no lang, naniniwala ka ba na merong rewards system, sure or no?” Abante stated.
“Sure Mr. Chair,” Leonardo replied.
Final October 11, Garma testified earlier than the quad committee, saying that former president Rodrigo Duterte contacted her final Could 2016 in regards to the creation of a job drive that may implement the drug conflict on a nationwide scale, with the “Davao template” in thoughts.
Garma stated the Davao template refers to a rewards system, with money grants starting from P20,000 to P1 million given to cops who kill drug suspects.
In response to Garma, Duterte informed her that the duty drive head must be an INC member—main Garma to faucet Leonardo.
Garma additionally stated that Leonardo informed her that he made a proposal outlining the duty drive’s operations, coursed by way of Senator Bong Go who was then the particular assistant to Duterte.
She additionally admitted that originally, she facilitated the conferences between Go and Leonardo. Ultimately, Garma stated that the 2 males “established direct communication”.
Garma additional testified that it was additionally Leonardo who performed briefings for all Philippine Drug Enforcement Company (PDEA) officers and even PNP chiefs—even having the ultimate authority on who can be on the watchlist.
However earlier, Leonardo denied Garma’s claims, saying that the latter could have extra data of the duty drive’s operations in comparison with him.
Then on the Wednesday quad committee listening to, Garma claimed that the existence of the DDS in Davao Metropolis is a standard data amongst cops within the space.