DOJ: Garma detained in US for alleged money laundering, rights violation

Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Royina Garma during the House of Representatives quad committee hearing on crimes linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s drug war on September 27, 2024. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Former Police Colonel Royina Garma is being detained in the United States under the Magnitsky Act for possible money laundering and human rights violations, the Department of Justice said on Monday.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said it is not likely that Garma can appeal her detention.

“That will not happen because of the Magnitsky Act; they can actually go after her properties she stored there, her money laundering activities, and of course, the human rights violations,” Remulla told reporters.

The Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act promotes accountability for those acting with impunity. Through the Magnitsky Act, the US government sanctions foreign persons connected to human rights abuse and corruption.

Garma is currently detained in San Francisco, California.

READ: Royina Garma, daughter arrested, detained in California – DOJ

Remulla said he would tap the Bureau of Immigration to coordinate with US authorities by invoking the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to know Garma’s status.

“I am asking the Immigration people to do the formal work. We have the MLAT, we will work this out,” he said.

The MLAT requires the parties to provide mutual assistance in the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of criminal offenses, and in proceedings related to criminal matters.

Philippine authorities are investigating Garma for her alleged involvement in the murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

During the House quad committee hearing, Police Lieutenant Colonel Santie Mendoza of the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group and police informant Nelson Mariano accused Garma and National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo of ordering the kill job on Barayuga for his alleged links to illegal drug trade, but later turned out to be a disagreement over PCSO game Perya ng Bayan.

Barayuga was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding man shortly while on his way home from the PCSO central office in Mandaluyong City on July 30, 2020.