Retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royima Garma is not facing any case in the country, and therefore, has no prohibition to travel abroad, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday, Nov. 12 amid reports that she was held in the United States.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, citing information from the police Directorate for Intelligence (DI), said Garma and her daughter were indeed held by US immigration authorities.
As far as Philippine authorities are concerned, Fajardo said there is no case filed yet against Garma amid allegations that she was involved in the killing of retired general and former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
“There is no prohibition for her to travel outside the country,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo explained that it is only after a case is filed that a court intervention is asked for the issuance of a hold departure order.
Reports disclosed that Garma left the country on Nov. 7.
Based on Bureau of Immigration records, Garma left the country via United Airlines bound for San Francisco. She boarded the flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
Garma gained controversy after she was implicated in the killing of Barayuga, the allegation came from a police major who claimed to have a key role in the death of the former PCSO executive.
Garma later admitted the existence of a reward system in the PNP at the height of the drug war of the Duterte administration. (With reports from Ariel Fernandez)