FORMER Police Colonel Royina Garma is set to serve as a key witness during the proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This development was disclosed by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who confirmed the information in a report aired over the news program 24 Oras. Trillanes noted that his camp was the first to bring concerns regarding alleged extrajudicial killings in the country to the attention of the international tribunal, paving the way for the formal investigation and trial currently underway.
While specific details of her statement and the full scope of what she will reveal remain undisclosed, Garma has already made significant revelations in previous congressional inquiries that could prove relevant to the case.
During a hearing conducted by a committee of the House of Representatives, she spoke openly about the nationwide rollout of what was referred to as the “Davao Model.” Under this system, she testified that incentives and rewards were provided to law enforcement personnel and others for carrying out operations that resulted in the death of individuals tagged as alleged drug offenders.
Trillanes further revealed that Garma is not the only person set to give evidence before the court. Also taking the witness stand are self-confessed former operatives and alleged hitmen Edgar Matobato and Arturo Lascañas, both of whom have long come forward to share their accounts of how operations were allegedly organized and executed during the previous administration. Their testimonies are expected to provide firsthand information that will help the court determine whether there was a pattern or plan behind the actions being examined.
The inclusion of these witnesses marks a critical phase in the proceedings, as their accounts are likely to shed light on the structure, implementation, and objectives of the anti-drug campaign that has been the subject of international scrutiny. With multiple individuals now prepared to present their statements, the trial moves closer to establishing the facts surrounding the allegations and determining accountability for the events that have sparked widespread legal and human rights debates.
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