The DFA says the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco 'stands ready to extend appropriate assistance'

MANILA, Philippines – Royina Garma, the retired cop turned whistleblower in a House of Representatives probe into former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs,” is still under the custody of American border officials, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement on Wednesday, November 13.

“The Department, through the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, is continuously coordinating with U.S. authorities regarding the reported arrest and detention of Ms. Royina Garma and [her daughter] who are currently under the custody of the United States Customs and Border Protection (US-CBP) in San Francisco, California,” said DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza in a statement.

Garma was placed under the custody of the US-CBP on November 7, her lawyer had earlier told Rappler.

“The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco stands ready to extend appropriate assistance to Filipino nationals within its consular jurisdiction, in accordance with existing rules and regulations,” added Daza.

Garma was a colonel when she retired from the Philippine National Police (PNP), then was appointed general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

It was Garma who, in a House hearing, accused former president Duterte of implementing a reward system for drug war kills.

It remained unclear why Garma tried to the enter the US, even after she confirmed in a House...

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