Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager and retired police colonel Royina Garma will serve as a key prosecution witness in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation of former president Rodrigo Duterte over crimes against humanity. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed this on Monday, Sept. 8.
Remulla revealed that Garma had already traveled to Malaysia to meet ICC representatives as part of preparations for her testimony. “I think she has agreed to be a witness, according to (former) senator (Antonio) Trillanes,” he said in a One News PH report, noting that the Department of Justice has been assisting in protecting Garma while maintaining only a “cautious” working relationship with the ICC.
The DOJ chief stressed that Garma’s life could be at risk in the Philippines, pointing out, “The best way to protect her is really for the ICC to meet her abroad because her life can be in danger in our country. Let’s face it, uniformed personnel ang kalaban.”
Garma’s account is expected to be pivotal, as she is the highest-ranking police officer so far willing to detail the inner workings of the Duterte administration’s drug war, including the alleged reward system tied to killings. She previously testified before Congress that Duterte instructed her to find an officer capable of implementing the so-called “Davao model” nationwide—a system involving payments for the deaths of drug suspects.
Her cooperation with the ICC follows months of negotiations while she was in the United States, where she was held for 10 months after her visa was canceled. She returned to the Philippines on Sept. 6, but records from the Bureau of Immigration show she departed for Kuala Lumpur a day later. BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval confirmed her departure, clarifying that there was no hold departure order or arrest warrant against her.
Meanwhile, the ICC has postponed the confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte, initially scheduled for Sept. 23, after his legal team argued he was “not fit to stand trial.” A majority of the Pre-Trial Chamber voted to delay proceedings until Duterte’s condition could be reviewed, though one judge dissented.
Locally, Garma still faces criminal cases, including her alleged involvement in the ambush of former sweepstakes official Wesley Barayuga. Remulla said her commitment to testify does not erase these charges: “We will not let the Barayuga case go undone… She has assured her cooperation that she will face the music.”
