Marbil orders a reinvestigation into the murder of a former PCSO officer

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Marbil has ordered an intensive investigation into the unsolved murder case against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

In a statement on Sunday, September 29, 2024, Marbil directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to reopen its investigation into Barayuga’s murder after Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza during a House Committee investigation on Friday, September 27 , had made claims of extrajudicial killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Mendoza blamed National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo and former PCSO Director General Royina Garma, both retired colonels, for masterminding Barayuga’s murder.

He said Leonardo contacted him and informed him of a “special project with a high-ranking person believed to be involved in illegal drugs.”

He said Garma provided intelligence for the operation.

“Despite my hesitation, I was forced to comply because the order came from above and Colonel Leonardo is a high school student while Ma’am Garma is a member of the Cabinet,” Mendoza said.

“I personally thought about what would happen to my career as a police officer and the most important thing was that I feared for my life and that of my family if I didn’t comply,” he added.

Mendoza said he received P300,000 after “successfully” killing the victim.

He said he gave it to one “Toks” and Nelson Mariano, who committed the murder on the afternoon of July 30, 2020, as Barayuga was leaving his office in Mandaluyong City.

“This revelation calls for a thorough re-investigation of the murder. No one is above the law and we will use all PNP resources to seek justice for retired General Wesley Barayuga and his family,” Marbil said.

Marbil stressed that the CIDG will reassess all evidence in light of the new witness statements and work closely with other relevant authorities to ensure that the process is thorough, impartial and transparent.

“We are committed to uncovering the truth, regardless of the position or power of those involved. The public can be assured that we will hold those responsible to account,” he added.

Both Garma and Leonardo denied Mendoza’s claims. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)