Ex-Palace exec denies disbursing cash for Duterte drug war killings

Former Assistant Secretary Irmina “Muking” Espino of then Office of the Special Assistant to the President (SAP) headed by Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday denied disbursing money as rewards to police officials who killed drug suspects during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Espino was responding to the allegations made by retired police Colonel Royina Garma that she disbursed the money.

“I have no knowledge actually, Mr. Chair, of the rewards system that is going on within Malacañang,” she said during the House QuadComm probe. 

Espino said she also has no knowledge of her boss, Go, releasing money for the rewards system or about Duterte's statements that he gives funding support to police operations, including rewards.

“I have no knowledge about that, Mr. Chair. I am not privy with police operations so I am not familiar with this,” she said.

Espino said she is only aware of precinct commanders submitting requests to then Davao city mayor Duterte for funding support for office supplies.

“It is for aircon, office supplies. Normally, just for general services,” she said.

Asked by lawmakers why Garma identified her as a disbursing officer for the rewards system, Espino replied, "she just wants to link from the City of Davao to the OP (Office of the President)," Espino said.

Garma earlier testified before the QuadComm that the cash reward paid per killing in the Duterte administration's war on drugs ranged from P20,000 to P1 million. —LDF, GMA Integrated News