Retired police officer and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma disclosed more details about police bounties for drug-related killings during the Duterte administration, while confirming the existence of the Davao Death Squad (DDS).
In her supplemental affidavit submitted to the House Quad Committee investigating extrajudicial killings, Garma shared firsthand knowledge of a reward system for targeting drug suspects, implicating former President Rodrigo Duterte and his close aide, Sen. Christopher ‘Bong’ Go.
Garma, who served as a police officer in Davao City since 1997, confirmed that the DDS—a group long suspected of carrying out killings in Duterte’s hometown—operated with little oversight. She said she became aware of the group during her assignment.
“It was common knowledge among officers that almost all station commanders had special teams designated for specific operations. Although I did not know the identities of these teams, a culture of silence prevailed among police officers in Davao regarding such matters,” she said.
Garma detailed how cash incentives ranged from ₱20,000 to ₱1 million, depending on the target, and were often distributed without formal documentation. She recalled receiving ₱20,000 for a 2012 operation coordinated by a Davao police intelligence officer.
Another case involved the killing of a male drug suspect near a gas station in Panacan, Davao, shortly after he left a religious item in her office.
Garma also outlined how police commanders submitted monthly reports to secure reimbursements for operational expenses, revealing a chain of command that included Duterte’s aides.
The House Quad Committee continues to probe Garma’s allegations as part of a broader investigation into drug-related extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s drug war.
