THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will reopen its investigation into the 2020 murder of retired general and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
New evidence has emerged implicating high-ranking officials in the killing, prompting the PNP to take action.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil announced the decision on Sunday, following testimony last week by Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group.
During a House committee investigation on extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration, Mendoza alleged that National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo and former PCSO General Manager Royina Garma, both retired police colonels, were the masterminds behind Barayuga’s murder.
“We will thoroughly reinvestigate the murder,” Marbil stated. “No one is above the law, and we will seek justice for retired Gen. Wesley Barayuga and his family with the full resources of the PNP.”
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), under the new leadership of Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, will lead the investigation.
The CIDG will thoroughly examine all evidence in light of the new testimony and work closely with other relevant agencies to ensure a thorough, impartial, and transparent process.
