The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said it was “continuously coordinating” with United States (US) authorities through the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco regarding the arrest and detention of retired Police Colonel Royina Garma and her daughter.
According to the DFA, Garma and her daughter are currently under the custody of the US Customs and Border Protection in San Francisco, California.
“The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco stands ready to extend appropriate assistance to Filipino nationals within its consular jurisdiction, in accordance with existing rules and regulations,” it said in a statement.
Citing reports from the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Justice was the first agency to report that Garma was held by authorities in California due to a cancelled visa.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado to facilitate Garma’s return to the Philippines.
The House Quad Committee (QuadComm) cited Garma in contempt in September.
The QuadComm released Garma from detention on Nov. 4, according to lead chairperson and Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers.
During house hearings, Garma was accused of ordering the killing of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga, a claim she has denied.
It was also Garma who claimed that former President Rodrigo Duterte asked her to look for an officer to implement the so-called Davao model of the drug war on a national scale.
Earlier in the day, Duterte dared the International Criminal Court to come to the country as soon as tomorrow, Nov. 14, to investigate him over alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s anti-drug campaign. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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