MANILA/SAN FRANCISCO, California – Embattled former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager and police colonel Royina Garma fled to the United States with her daughter but was arrested in San Francisco, California over her cancelled US visa.

At press time, Garma, who was arrested and detained on November 7  by US customs, border and immigration officials face deportation as the Philippine Department of Justice has ordered the Philippine Bureau of Immigration to bring her home.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he has directed Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado to facilitate Garma’s repatriation.

Remulla said he hopes that Garma will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing government investigations stemming from recent Congressional hearings.

Washington DC-based immigration lawyer Arnedo Valera, meanwhile, said that Garma may apply for asylum in the United States, or opt for expedited removal.

The right to apply for asylum upon arrival at a US port of entry is established under Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, codified as 8 U.S.C. § 1158. The law provides that any individual physically present in the United States or arriving at the border has the right to apply for asylum regardless of their immigration status or point of entry.

During the quadcom hearings at the House of Representatives, the former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) official implicated former president Rodrigo Duterte in the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) and the alleged reward system that incentivized police officers to carry out drug-related killings.

“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. While we work to ensure the safe return of Ms. Garma, we trust that she will remain cooperative with all ongoing investigations,” Remulla said.

“The cases against her or involving her have not yet been filed, we are still conducting case buildup. In any case, she is considered  a very important witness by the quadcom, that is why we intend to offer her witness protection for that matter, at least for the matter which the quadcom is seeking from her. Of course, there are other things which may not be necessarily in conjunction with what the quadcom has considered.”

Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the newly-created task force on extrajudicial killings (EJKs) would include a reinvestigation into the killing of PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

A police officer implicated Garma in the assassination of Barayuga in 2020.

“The DOJ remains steadfast in supporting law enforcement and ensuring accountability as part of its mandate to uphold justice and the rule of law,” Fadullon said.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco is coordinating with US authorities on the case of  Garma, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza confirmed that Garma and her daughter Angelica Vilela are still in the custody of the US Customs and Border Protection (US-CBP) in San Francisco.

“The Department, through the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, is continuously coordinating with US authorities regarding the reported arrest and detention of Ms. Royina Garma and Ms. Angelica Vilela,” she said.

“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,” she added.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said no charges had been filed against Garma, which meant she was free to travel abroad.

The US, however, has the prerogative to cancel her visa, it said.

In a House of Representatives Quad Committee hearing, Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza of the Police Drug Enforcement Group implicated Garma in the assassination of board secretary and retired general Wesley Barayuga in 2020.

Garma had also previously claimed that former President Rodrigo Duterte asked her help to “replicate the Davao Model” for his anti-illegal drug campaign. (with Claire Morales True)