Ex-PCSO chief ordered arrested over Barayuga slay

MANILA, Philippines — A Mandaluyong court has issued a warrant of arrest against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairperson Royina Garma and four others in connection with the 2020 killing of former PCSO general secretary Wesley Barayuga.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Randulf Tuaño said Monday, September 29 the warrant was received by the Mandaluyong City police station from Regional Trial Court Branch 279.

A copy of the warrant obtained by Philstar.com shows Garma and the others face non-bailable charges of murder and frustrated murder.

Also named in the warrant are former National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, Jeremy Causapin, Santie Mendoza and Nelson Mariano.

On Sepember. 8, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that Garma had met with International Criminal Court officials as a potential witness against detained former president Rodrigo Duterte. This came after her deportation from the United States following a denied asylum bid.

Barayuga was fatally shot on July 30, 2020, in Mandaluyong City while riding in a vehicle. The gunman, who remains unidentified, was on a motorcycle.