DOJ Secretary Remulla announces that Royina Garma will testify in the International Criminal Court's investigation concerning the Philippine drug war case.
Royina Garma, a key drug war whistleblower, has returned to the Philippines after a brief sojourn in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, following a failed attempt to seek asylum in the United States.
Garma's return to the Philippines comes after a series of events that have placed her at the heart of a high-profile case against former President Rodrigo Duterte. In October 2024, Garma testified before the House of Representatives, implicating Duterte as the mastermind of the bloody war on drugs and the series of extrajudicial killings during his administration.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary, Jesus Crispin Remulla, has identified Garma as a key witness in the crimes against humanity case against Duterte. Remulla suggests that the best way to protect Garma might be for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to keep her abroad due to potential danger in the Philippines.
The ICC is currently negotiating with Garma regarding her role as a witness in the case against Duterte. Remulla's comments come as the ICC is already negotiating with Garma, with the aim of securing her cooperation as a witness in the case.
In a surprising turn of events, Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3) in March 2025 over a warrant issued by the ICC. Currently, Duterte is detained at The Hague, Netherlands, facing the crimes against humanity case.
It is worth noting that Garma had flown to the US in November 2024 to file an application for asylum, which was denied upon her arrival in California, and she was then detained at the South Louisiana Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center. However, no hold departure order or warrant of arrest was issued against Garma, allowing her to travel freely.
On September 7, the Bureau of Immigration announced that Garma left the Philippines as a tourist for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With Garma back in the Philippines, the focus remains on the ongoing case against Duterte and the role Garma will play as a key witness.
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