The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating whether a single group is responsible for the murders of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga and Tanuan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili.
According to PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo, police officers are implicated in both sensational cases.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously stated that the PNP is revisiting several cold cases. The recent expose by former PCSO General Manager Royina Garma during the House quad-committee prompted this action.
Fajardo stated that aside from the cases of Barayuga and Halili, which are both linked to illegal drugs, the PNP's priority is to revive several other cold cases involving various elected officials.
“Tutulong tayo para maresolba [at] maimbestigahan ng tama itong mga kaso na ito," Fajardo said during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Tuesday.
“That’s the only way na makakabangon ‘yung institusyon na wala tayong pagtatakpan dito sa sinasabing alleged na war system," she added.
Fajardo emphasized that the PNP does not want to preempt the ongoing quad-committee hearings and will allow the process to unfold before drawing any conclusions.
On October 11, Garma disclosed that former President Rodrigo Duterte aimed to implement the war on drugs nationwide, expressing a desire to replicate the Davao model.
The implementation of the "war on drugs" reportedly included a reward system for all officers involved in the operations.
Furthermore, PNP Chief PGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil already formed a committee to investigate Garma's statements, led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
