Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

​NBI says 'no basis' to detain Garma

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175741067289120240912-garmay-royina-quadcomm-MT-5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former Cebu City Police Office Director PCOL Royina Garma answers questions from the Quad-Committee, which continues its fifth hearing at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on September 12, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Former Cebu City Police Office Director PCOL Royina Garma answers questions from the Quad-Committee, which continues its fifth hearing at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on September 12, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said there is no basis to detain drug war whistleblower and former police colonel Royina Garma, whom he met over the weekend.&quot;I checked with Congress and the Senate. Yes, there was a warrant, but it was from the 19th Congress. We’re now in the 20th Congress, so expired na ’yon. Criminal records show no active warrant of arrest. We couldn’t hold her, only monitor her and ensure her security,&quot; Santiago said, adding that he reviewed all legal records and confirmed there was no basis to detain her. Santiago confirmed that he met Garma at NAIA before her departure for Malaysia over the weekend.Garma, who previously exposed the alleged “reward system” in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, had just returned to the Philippines but left again less than 24 hours later.Santiago said he immediately dispatched a team to meet Garma upon receiving information about her arrival.“We received information she was arriving 6 p.m. Saturday. I formed a team to meet her, identify her accommodations, and provide protection,” Santiago said.According to Santiago, Garma left the Philippines for the United States in November last year to seek asylum, but her application was denied.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/ex-drug-war-cop-garma-in-malaysia-to-meet-with-icc-officials-remulla-1412">Ex-drug war cop Garma meets ICC officials in Malaysia, agrees to testify against Duterte: DOJ</a></div>The following day, the NBI learned that Garma was set to leave for Malaysia to meet with International Criminal Court (ICC) officials.“She admitted she would be meeting ICC personnel to finalize her testimony. I asked her if she would be safe there. Of course, as a Filipino, I reminded her she could be given protection here, but we couldn’t stop her from leaving,” Santiago said.He said Garma expressed fear for her safety in the Philippines: “Takot siya dito sa Pilipinas.&quot;

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said there is no basis to detain drug war whistleblower and former police colonel Royina Garma, whom he met over the weekend.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said there is no basis to detain drug war whistleblower and former police colonel Royina Garma, whom he met over the weekend.