FORMER Col. Edilberto Leonardo corroborated the two affidavits submitted by ex-Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma during the House Quad Comm hearing that lasted well past midnight Tuesday.
The affidavits included details about a controversial cash reward system allegedly implemented during former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
At the 9th Quad Comm hearing, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, questioned Leonardo regarding his knowledge of Garma’s affidavits.
“Ayaw ko naman na matawag siya na siya ang Hitler ng Pilipinas. Sapagkat binanggit niya ‘to eh, am I right? O eto po, ito na po ang question ko, and this will only be answerable by yes or no. I am not going to ask for any more explanation, Col. Leonardo, sagutin niyo lang ako ng yes or no. Doon sa dalawang affidavit ni Col. Garma na nabasa mo at napakinggan mo. ’Yan ba ay pinapaniwalaan mo? Yes or no?” Abante asked.
“Yes, Mr. Chair,” Leonardo responded, affirming the accuracy of Garma’s testimonies.
In a follow-up question, Abante sought clarification on the existence of a reward system.
“Pangalawang tanong, also answerable by yes or no. Naniniwala ka ba na merong rewards system? Yes or no?” Abante asked.
Leonardo initially responded, “May narinig ako, yes Mr. Chair.”
Abante pressed him further, saying, “Yes or no lang, naniniwala ka ba na merong rewards system, yes or no?”
“Yes, Mr. Chair,” Leonardo finally confirmed, further solidifying the claims made by Garma in her affidavits, which alleged the existence of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the previous administration.
The Quad Committee also cited demoted Police Maj. Leo Laraga in contempt for lying after he attempted to evade direct questions from Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, vice chairman of the panel, regarding the November 2016 raid at the Baybay City Sub-Provincial Jail.
This incident is connected to the alleged murder of Albuera town mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside the prison facility.
During the raid, operatives from the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group reportedly killed Espinosa and fellow inmate Raul Yap.
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