Grijaldo refuses to confirm coercion claim vs. QuadComm

Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo on Tuesday refused to confirm if he told the "truth" when he said that he was coerced by certain members of the House Quad Comm (QuadComm) to testify that the previous administration implemented a cash reward system in its war on drugs.

“I invoke my right against self-incrimination,” is the repeated response of Grijaldo to lawmakers' questions on the matter.

House Deputy Speaker Jayjay Suarez and Antipolo Rep. and retired police official Romeo Acop were among those who asked Grijaldo about claims that he was coerced by certain lawmakers.

Acop also called out Grijaldo over an unrelated response to the question as he warned him that he would be cited in contempt again if he continued to answer in such a way.

“That [response] is improper to say. There is no criminal case against you about this,” Acop said.

“You are just telling me of your ignorance of the law. Kasama kita sa serbisyo, pero nakakahiya ka,” Acop added.

(I am a police official too, but you are an embarrassment.)

Suarez said Grijaldo must substantiate his claims.

“You made these claims, which dominated the news for weeks, and now you’re hiding behind your right against self-incrimination,” Suarez said.

House QuadComm lead and Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers agreed, saying Grijaldo can’t act all meek when he was so bold in telling tales in the Senate.

“The resource person is out of order, and let it be of record that he is continuously disrespecting this committee by refusing to answer appropriately. Noong nasa Senado ka ang tapang-tapang mo eh. Bakit dito ayaw mo? Magtapang ka rito. Ipakita mo ‘yung the same candor, the same tapang na pinakita mo doon,” Barbers said.

(In the Senate, you were very daring, why not show it here?)

Grijaldo is currently detained in the House of Representatives due to a contempt order against him over repeated failure to show up before the QuadComm probe into drug war deaths.

He is also being questioned by the QuadComm over his actions as Mandaluyong Police chief when PCSO Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga was shot dead in the city in July 2020.

Later in the hearing, the QuadComm showed a video of Grijaldo when he was supposedly coerced to testify against former President Duterte.

In the video, he was seen leaving the room without restraint and smiling after meeting with two Quad Comm members, Representatives Dan Fernandez of Laguna and Benny Abante of Manila, as well as the lawyers of retired Colonel Royina Garma who testified on the drug war reward system.

Grijaldo was also seen leaving the meeting without escorts or restraints.

Given the video and Grijaldo’s repeated refusal to give categorical answers to lawmakers’ queries, the QuadComm approved Abang Lingkod party-list Stephen Paduano’s motion amending the contempt order on him that orders detention at the Quezon City Police Station 6 in Batasan until the panels' probe ends instead of being held inside the Batasang Pambansa Complex.--VAL, GMA Integrated News