Garma confirms up to P1 million paid per killing in war on drugs

 F

Retired police colonel Royina Garma confirmed that the cash reward paid per killing in the Duterte administration's war on drugs ranged from P20,000 to P1 million.

Garma made the remark after she was asked by Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel to confirm if the rewards were set at P50,000 for a drug pusher; P100,000 for a big-time drug pusher; P300,000 for narco politicians and protectors; and P1 million for traders, manufacturers, chemists, ninja cops and financiers.

She said she did not know specifics on the price per drug war kill, but said the highest reward was P1 million.

“Mr. Chair, from what I understand, starting from P20,000 to P1 million. But I'm not familiar with the bracketing,” Garma said.

Garma, who also held the position of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager during the Duterte administration, said it was then-police officer Edilberto Leonardo who facilitated the funding.

"In Davao, once there’s a successful police operation, if you have filed the case, there’s a number, proof that you filed a case, you will be refunded P5,000 for your expenses," Garma said.

In response, Manuel said it was no surprise that the police under the Duterte administration were eager to implement the war on drugs.

“I am still trying to absorb everything...from P20,000 to P1 million per head. And from Davao, this happened nationwide," Manuel said.

"Kaya naman pala ganado yung mga sangkot na mga pulis na kapag neutralization talaga, ang layunin ay pumatay, dahil pala ganoon kalaki yung reward sa kanila,” he added.

(So that's why the police who were implicated were so enthusiastic when the object was to kill, because the reward was so high.)

'Never sanctioned'

Senator Bong Go on Saturday denied that there was such a "reward system" during the previous administration. 

"Nais kong klaruhin na walang reward system na iniimplementa noon kapalit ang buhay ng sinuman," Go said in a statement.

(I want to clarify that no reward system was implemented in exchange for anyone's life.)

"The former President has stated clearly numerous times that his administration never sanctioned nor tolerated any form of senseless killings," he added.

Meanwhile, former PNP chief and now Senator Bato dela Rosa said he has 'no idea' about the supposed reward system.

“I have no idea about that reward system,” he said.

“During my time as the chief PNP, I did not engage in a reward system because I had no funds for that. The only reward system in the pop is the DILG-approved list of the most wanted persons," explained Dela Rosa.

"I did not believe in such a system because it is a sworn duty of every policeman to keep his area of responsibility free from drugs,” he added. —Llanesca Panti/NB/VAL, GMA Integrated News