THE chairperson of the House quad committee has called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue charges against retired police colonels Royina Garma and Edilberto Leonardo for the 2020 murder of Wesley Barayuga, a former board secretary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

This case was revived following explosive testimonies presented to the committee last week.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers suggested that the DOJ interview two key witnesses, Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza and Nelson Mariano, to assess whether their statements are sufficient to initiate murder charges against Garma and Leonardo.

Barbers explained that they do not need to wait for the final report of the joint committee as he emphasized the ongoing inquiry.

During sworn testimonies on September 27, Mendoza and Mariano claimed that Garma orchestrated the ambush that killed Barayuga to prevent him from exposing corruption within the PCSO.

Mendoza alleged that Garma instructed Leonardo, then chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao, to facilitate the hit. He stated he was offered P300,000 for the operation.

Following these revelations, committee members suggested that charges for murder or conspiracy to commit murder should be recommended against the two former police officials, who were viewed as allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Barbers assured Barayuga's widow and family that the committee is committed to seeking justice.

The Barayuga family expressed gratitude for the renewed investigation, highlighting their previous frustration with the lack of progress over the past four years.

Barayuga was killed by a motorcycle-riding gunman on July 30, 2020. His driver was injured in the attack.

The case remained unsolved until recent developments prompted the DOJ to reopen the investigation, with Mendoza reportedly placed under protective custody due to safety concerns following his testimony.(CMM)

• Tags
• # Department of Justice
• #DOJ
• #Royina Garma
• #Edilberto Leonardo
• #Wesley Barayuga
• #Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office
• #PCSO
• #House Quad Committee
• #Philippine Crime