After Exiting the PH, Garma Has Been Arrested
ROYINA GARMA – The retired police colonel was arrested in California on November 7, 2024, as confirmed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Garma, along with another individual, was detained in San Francisco, with information provided by the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano stated that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has instructed Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado to facilitate Garma’s return to the Philippines.
The DOJ expressed hope that Garma would cooperate with the ongoing investigations, despite the House Quad Committee lifting her contempt order in November 2024. This order, initially imposed in September, was rescinded shortly before her arrest.
Garma, a former police officer and ex-general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), has been implicated in several controversial cases. During recent congressional hearings, she was accused of orchestrating the murder of former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga, who was allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. Garma has denied these accusations. She also claimed that former President Rodrigo Duterte had instructed her to find an officer to implement the “Davao model” of the drug war, which she described as a system involving payments and rewards—an allegation that Duterte has denied.
Garma served in the Philippine National Police for over two decades, including in Davao City and Cebu City, where she gained attention for her role in Duterte’s anti-drug operations. In 2019, Garma retired from the PNP and was appointed by Duterte as PCSO general manager, a position she held until 2022. Her career has been marred by allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and involvement in extrajudicial killings, including links to the Davao Death Squad. She is now facing scrutiny from the Philippine government for her actions during her tenure in both the police force and the PCSO.
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