PNP Officer Names Garma and Leonardo in Connection to Barayuga's Murder

 

PNP Officer Accuses Former PCSO Officials of Orchestrating the 2020 Assassination of Wesley Barayuga

A police officer, Police Lieutenant Colonel Santi Mendoza, has accused former officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Royina Garma and Police Col. Edilberto Leonardo, of being behind the assassination of former PCSO Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga in July 2020. Both Garma and Leonardo denied the allegations during the House Quad Committee hearing at the Batasang Pambansa. However, Mendoza's emotional testimony provided detailed claims about their involvement in the crime.

Lt. Col. Santi Mendoza's Testimony

Mendoza revealed that he could not refuse the orders from his superiors and upperclassmen, fearing the potential consequences on his career and personal safety. He pointed directly at Garma, the former PCSO General Manager, and Leonardo, the former Davao CIDG Chief and current NAPLCOM Commissioner, as the masterminds behind the ambush that killed Barayuga in 2020.

According to Mendoza, the ambush was ordered by his superiors, leaving him with no choice but to comply, despite his initial reluctance.

The Details of the Crime

In 2019, Mendoza received a call from Leonardo regarding an operation targeting a "high-value individual" allegedly involved in illegal drugs. That individual turned out to be Barayuga. Mendoza stated that he initially insisted on verifying the target since Barayuga was a government official, but Leonardo assured him that the order came from Garma, who purportedly had personal knowledge of Barayuga's illegal activities.

Despite his doubts, Mendoza followed the orders, fearing repercussions on his career and safety if he disobeyed. He then sought the help of Nelson Mariano, who was tasked with finding a hitman known as "Loloy." Mendoza also testified that Garma provided detailed information about Barayuga’s vehicle, including its description and plate number, and arranged for a service vehicle to be used during the operation.

Payment and Apology

Following the assassination, Mendoza was informed by Leonardo that Garma had allegedly provided P300,000 as payment for the job. Of that amount, Mendoza received P40,000 as his share. During the hearing, Mendoza and Mariano both expressed deep remorse for their involvement in the killing.

“I sincerely apologize to those affected by this incident, especially to the Barayuga family who lost a loved one because of this wrongful act and the deceitful influence of the people involved,” Mendoza said.

Denials from Garma and Leonardo

Both Garma and Leonardo strongly denied any involvement in the murder. Garma claimed that she had no knowledge of the accusations against her and that she could not recall ever meeting Mendoza.

“I don’t know what he’s talking about. I don’t recall ever meeting him,” Garma stated.

Garma and Leonardo Previously Linked to Other Killings

This was not the first time Garma and Leonardo were implicated in violent incidents. The two had previously been linked to the killings of three Chinese drug lords at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm. Although Leonardo denied these allegations, Garma admitted that she had met with him at the Davao CIDG office, where they discussed what has come to be known as the "Davao template"—an operational strategy allegedly used in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

Contempt and Further Accusations

Due to his false testimony during the hearing, Leonardo was cited for contempt and ordered detained by the House Committee. Garma, on the other hand, confirmed that the so-called "Davao template" was discussed during a meeting in the DPWH building in Davao City in June 2016, just days before former President Rodrigo Duterte took office. Lawmakers noted that a series of killings in various prisons across the country occurred shortly after this meeting.