Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Royina Garma | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Former police official Royina Garma and her daughter, Angelica Garma Vilela, have been arrested and detained in San Francisco, California, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday.
The DOJ issued the statement after Garma reportedly left the Philippines for Washington, D.C., on November 7.
“In a recent report, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed the arrest and detention of former Police Colonel Royina Garma and Angelica Garma Vilela in San Francisco, California, USA, on November 7, 2024,” DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said in a statement.
READ: Garma reduced to tears under House grilling, then detained
The DOJ did not share any other specifics on the arrest.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has already ordered Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado to facilitate her return to the Philippines.
“We are committed to seeing justice served in every case and to upholding the integrity of our justice system, especially when it involves our country’s significant issues and concerns,” said Remulla.
“While we work to ensure the safe return of Ms. Garma, we trust that she will remain cooperative with all ongoing investigations,” he added.
READ: Garma’s drug war exposé just ‘tip of the iceberg’ – lawmakers
Garma was the one who implicated Rodrigo Duterte during a House quad committee investigation, dropping a bombshell that the former president allegedly offered cash rewards for every drug suspect killed during his administration’s bloody war on drugs.