THE Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Batch of 1980 has expressed deep gratitude to the Quad Comm of the House of Representatives for its ongoing efforts to investigate the extrajudicial killing (EJK)-style murder of retired general Wesley Aguilar Barayuga.
In a joint statement signed by 88 members, PSHS Batch ’80 highlighted the importance of seeking justice for Barayuga, whose brutal murder in 2020 remains unsolved.
“We, the members of the Philippine Science High School Batch of 1980, express our profound indignation over the tragic murder of lawyer and retired General Wesley Aguilar Barayuga,” the statement read.
Barayuga, who was serving as Board Secretary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) at the time, was shot dead on July 30, 2020, in what is now believed to have been a targeted assassination.
The PSHS alumni took note of Barayuga’s dedication to public service, describing him as a man of honor and a beloved husband to Sarah Magalona-Barayuga, who is a member of PSHS Batch ’80.
“Gen. Wesley Barayuga’s life and career were characterized by a dedication to public service, courage, selflessness and a steadfast commitment to justice and fairness,” they said.
The Quad Comm’s recent hearings have revealed testimonies that point to high-level involvement in Barayuga’s killing.
Witnesses have alleged that former PCSO General Manager Royina Garma ordered Barayuga’s assassination, sparking outrage among those who knew him.
The Quad Comm, composed of the House Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights and Public Accounts, has been investigating these allegations as part of its broader probe into extrajudicial killings linked to the previous administration.
In a letter to the Quad Comm, members of PSHS Batch ’80 conveyed their appreciation for the committee’s investigative efforts.
“We stand together in this pursuit, united in our belief that Atty. Barayuga’s name must be cleared and that those responsible for this heinous crime must be held accountable,” they wrote.
The letter, signed by PSHS Batch ’80 President Caesar Zaldarriaga, was addressed to Reps. Robert Ace S. Barbers, Dan S. Fernandez, Bienvenido M. Abante Jr. and Joseph Stephen “Caraps” S. Paduano, the respective chairs of the Quad Comm committees.
The batch’s statement, issued alongside the letter, expressed their gratitude for the committee’s “invaluable efforts” in reopening the investigation.
“We hope that this would bring us all closer to the resolution that Atty. Barayuga’s legacy deserves,” it read.
Earlier, Barayuga’s classmates from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1983 had also previously issued a statement expressing similar sentiments and thanking the Quad Comm for its commitment to the case.
PMA Class of 1983 emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, urging lawmakers to pursue justice for Barayuga, who was a respected and decorated member of their class.
They described him as a committed public servant whose murder has left unanswered questions that his family and colleagues hope will soon be resolved.
PSHS Batch ‘80 also said that Barayuga is a good family man and dedicated public servant who devoted his life to his country.
“To his family, Gen. Wesley … was a loving and devoted father and husband. To his colleagues and fellow men in uniform, he embodied uprightness in his work and a commitment to discipline and professionalism,” they noted.
They further described him as a man who lived his Christian faith and led a “simple, quiet life” focused on service.
Reflecting on Barayuga’s years of service in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military, his batchmates expressed outrage over the manner in which his life was taken.
“The years that have passed make the need for justice and accountability even more pressing,” they said.
The PSHS Batch ’80 calls on lawmakers to “pursue the truth behind Gen. Wesley’s killing” and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
They urged authorities to conduct a “thorough, unprejudiced, and transparent investigation” and stressed the importance of bringing clarity to the case for the sake of Barayuga’s family and friends.
