The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it had no valid reason to prevent retired police colonel Royina Garma from leaving the Philippines.
“She is not subject of any lookout bulletin or derogatory order hence was allowed to depart,” said BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier confirmed that Garma and her daughter Angelica had been held in San Francisco, California in the United Stated upon their arrival last Nov. 7 (US time) due to cancelled visas.
“We confirm the reported departure of former Col. Garma last November 7 at the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Terminal 3,” Sandoval said.
“She departed for the United States at around 0730H, and was processed in compliance with set immigration procedures,” she also said.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier ordered the BI to contact its counterparts in the US to determine the status of Garma and her daughter as well as facilitate the return of the two to the Philippines.
Garma testified before the House of Representatives quad committee on the illegal drugs operations during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
She was previously detained by the quad com after being cited in contempt but was later released.