Who is Royina Garma and what are her ties with the Duterte drug war?

Known for her alleged ties with the drug war of former president Rodrigo Duterte, retired police colonel Royina Garma was deported to the Philippines on Saturday after her asylum request was rejected by authorities from the United States where she was held since November 2024 for a canceled visa.

But who is Garma, and how is she connected to Duterte’s war on drugs?\

According to information acquired by GMA News Research, Garma obtained her Bachelor of Science in Public Safety at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Academy in 1997.

Garma began her PNP career as a Police Inspector (the equivalent of lieutenant in the military) in 1998. Her first promotion came in 2001 as Police Chief Inspector. 

As part of her studies, Garma acquired her master's degree in education management at Rizal Memorial Colleges in 2007 and executive doctorate in leadership at the University of Makati in 2019.

According to the Presidential Communication Office, Garma also led the Davao City Women and Children’s Protection Desk.

She would eventually become a Police Colonel in 2018 in this rank she assumed the role of City Director, Philippine National Police, Cebu City Police Office from June 13, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

In 2019, then President Duterte named Garma as general manager and vice-chairperson of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). She replaced Alexander Balutan, who left his post in March of the same year.

According to Garma, she met Duterte in May 2016, just weeks before he was to take his oath as President of the Republic on June 30.

Davao model for drug war

During an inquiry by the House Quad Committee, Garma said Duterte asked her to look for an officer to bring the Davao model for his planned drug war on a nationwide scale.

She explained that the Davao model is a system involving payments and rewards ranging from P20,000 to P1 million.

Garma was summoned to appear before the House Quadcom hearing after former Davao Penal and Prison Farm head Senior Supt. Gerardo Padilla confessed that she ordered him not to interfere in the operations against three Chinese inmates convicted of drug offenses.

She was cited in contempt for “lying and evading questions” of the House Quadcom.

Alleged mastermind of PCSO official's murder

Garma is facing a complaint for murder and frustrated murder for allegedly ordering the 2020 killing of former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

She was grilled by a panel of lawmakers over allegations that she masterminded Barayuga's death, which she has denied.

Asylum in the US

According to Emerito Quilang, Garma’s lawyer, the retired police official filed for asylum in November 2024, following her arrest in the US due to a canceled visa.

He added that Garma had another lawyer abroad, so he was "not privy" to the details regarding her asylum request.

Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado to facilitate Garma's return to the Philippines.

In the final House Quad Committee hearing on June 9, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Garma is still at a US immigration facility. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News