PNP-IAS starts probe on Barayuga murder

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has started its investigation to unmask PNP officers who may have played a role in the murder of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga in 2020.

IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay said yesterday the probe would target not only police officers who conspired in Barayuga’s murder, but also other PNP personnel who bungled the investigation of the case in an apparent cover-up by including the name of the retired police general on the drug watchlist.

The IAS will start with whistle-blower Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza, a former anti-narcotics officer who tagged former PCSO general manager Royina Garma as the alleged mastermind.

Mendoza pointed to National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo as Garma’s co-conspirator.

Mendoza was relieved from his post following his testimony at the House of Representatives quad committee legislative inquiry.

Dulay said Mendoza’s testimony is vital as it reopened Barayuga’s case.

If proven liable, Dulay said Mendoza and the other PNP officers who would be implicated in the crime would be dismissed from the service.

Dulay said the IAS would not hesitate to file administrative cases even against police officials ranked higher than Mendoza.

National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago also ordered the revival of the NBI probe into the murder of Barayuga.

“He created a team to look into the killing of the former PCSO official,” NBI deputy chief of staff for legal services Yentl Malicad said.

Malicad said the NBI had conducted an investigation on the case, but admitted they have yet to gather “sufficient evidence.”

“We will check if there is sufficient evidence to file a case against those who are involved in the killing,” she said. – Daphne Galvez