Overview: NBI seeks international cooperation in high-profile case
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has formally requested the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma. A red notice is an international appeal to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or other legal action, used by law enforcement worldwide. The request follows a Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) decision that adds international dimensions to a domestic murder case.
Context: The charges and the court order
The RTC Branch 279 issued an order dated October 15th, which cancelled Garma’s passport and issued hold departure orders (HDOs) against her and several co-accused. The charges relate to the 2020 killing of PCSO board secretary and former police general Wesley Barayuga and the injuries suffered by his driver, Jun Gunao. Garma and the other accused face murder and frustrated murder charges. Two of the co-accused, Police Lt. Col. Santie Fuentes Mendoza and dismissed policeman Nelson Enriquez Mariano, have already surrendered to the NBI.
Who is involved: the accused and their roles
Other named defendants include retired police colonel and former National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) commissioner Edilberto Leonardo and Jeremy Causapin. Garma’s case has drawn national attention due to her former leadership role at PCSO and the broader implications for accountability within public institutions. Garma herself returned to the Philippines on September 6 after being denied asylum in the United States but departed for Malaysia on September 7 to engage with the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a witness related to charges against former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague on crimes against humanity allegations.
Government response: NBI and DOJ statements
NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago confirmed the bureau’s request for Interpol’s assistance, highlighting that a red notice would enable authorities worldwide to locate Garma and support provisional arrest and potential extradition. DOJ Prosecutor General Richard Anthony A. Fadullon welcomed the move, explaining that a red notice would help restrict Garma’s movements and facilitate her return to the Philippines if she seeks to evade local proceedings.
Why a red notice matters: implications for international cooperation
Interpol red notices are not arrests themselves; they’re requests to locate and provisionally apprehend individuals, pending extradition or surrender arrangements. For the Garma case, the red notice could coordinate action across borders if she attempts to flee again or travel to countries that are members of Interpol. The move underscores the Philippines’ reliance on international law enforcement networks to pursue suspects linked to high-profile crimes and to ensure due process, regardless of geographic location.
Potential impact on Garma’s movement and legal strategy
Should Interpol issue the red notice, Garma’s travel would become significantly riskier. She would face possible detention abroad, hindering any attempt to flee or attend proceedings outside the country. Legal experts note that red notices are part of a broader extradition framework, and any arrest would be followed by formal extradition negotiations, court hearings, and adherence to international human rights standards.
What comes next: timeline and judicial proceedings
The judicial process continues in the Philippines as prosecutors push to move the case forward. The NBI’s request to Interpol adds a security layer, potentially expediting the return of Garma to face charges. Both sides in the case will likely await further developments from Interpol and any subsequent court orders that may arise out of extradition discussions.
Bottom line: International tools in domestic justice
The NBI’s request for a red notice against Garma reflects a broader pattern in which national investigations increasingly rely on international cooperation to locate suspects and enforce domestic rulings. As cases with prominent public figures move through the courts, the role of Interpol and allied agencies becomes pivotal in balancing due process with the need to prevent flight risk and ensure accountability.
