Napolcom exec Leonardo held in contempt for lying at House EJK probe

National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner and former Police Col. Edilberto Leonardo (left) is held in contempt by the House quad committee on Friday, September 27, 2024, for lying. Leonardo denied meeting BuCor official Sr. Supt. Gerardo Padilla about the killing of three Chinese nationals in the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in August 2016. Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano (right) quizzed Leonardo at the start of the seventh hearing of the quad panel, which is investigating the alleged extrajudicial killings or EJKs during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. (Screenshot from the House of Representatives Livestream)

MANILA, Philippines — National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner and former Police Col. Edilberto Leonardo was cited for contempt for lying by the House of Representatives quad committee.

The body resumed Friday its inquiry into the alleged extrajudicial killings or EJKs during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

At the start of the seventh quad committee hearing, Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano asked Leonardo several times if there was a meeting between him and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) official, Sr. Supt. Gerardo Padilla, about the killing of three Chinese nationals at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm back in August 2016.

Padilla previously said in his updated testimony that he talked to former Police Col. Royina Garma and Leonardo, regarding the operation to kill the three Chinese nationals. Padilla also claimed that ex-president Duterte congratulated him over the phone after the successful hit.

READ: Duterte ordered killing of Chinese inmates, BuCor exec confirms

After Leonardo responded in the negative, Paduano moved to hold him in contempt for lying. Quad committee lead presiding officer and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers approved the motion after it was duly seconded.

Leonardo would be detained at the House premises until the quad panel finishes its committee report on its EJK probe.