Barayuga Family Thanks House for Probing PCSO Exec’s Death

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The family of slain Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary and retired police general Wesley Barayuga has expressed gratitude to the House Quad Committee and witnesses for reopening the investigation into his murder.

In a statement released on Oct. 1, 2024, the family said, “The Barayuga family thanks the QuadCom and the witnesses who courageously testified, leading to the reopening of Wesley A. Barayuga’s murder case.”

“This brings us comfort, even though we know we are still far from receiving justice,” the family added.

For the past four years, the family believed that investigators were actively pursuing the case. However, they noted, “At this point, it is difficult to trust and place our hopes in the process.”

They also stated, “We believe this is God’s way of serving justice and clearing Wesley A. Barayuga’s name, which was wrongly linked to drugs in a desperate attempt to cover up the truth.”

The family asked for continued prayers as they work to heal from the tragedy.

Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil ordered a reinvestigation into Barayuga’s case.

“We are committed to uncovering the truth, regardless of the position or power of those involved. The public can rest assured that we will hold those responsible accountable,” Marbil said.

During the House QuadCom hearing, it was revealed that Barayuga was allegedly killed on orders from former PCSO general manager Royina Garma and retired Colonel Edilberto Leonardo, who is now a commissioner of the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

Police Lieutenant Colonel Santie Mendoza made the allegations during a congressional hearing on the war on drugs on Sept. 27.

Following his testimony, Mendoza was relieved of his post at the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) and transferred to the personnel holding and accounting unit in Camp Crame to ensure his availability for the ongoing probe by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Both Garma and Leonardo denied the allegations against them.

Barayuga was a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1983, while Garma is from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 1997, and Leonardo is from PNPA Class of 1996.

But Leonardo graduated with PNPA Class of 1998 after facing and resolving a murder charge.

During the QuadCom hearing, Mendoza alleged that Garma and Leonardo orchestrated Barayuga’s murder on July 30, 2020, in Mandaluyong City.

At the time, Mandaluyong police chief Hector Grijaldo—Garma’s classmate in the PNP—allegedly created a false report to mislead investigators.

After Barayuga’s death, his name was mysteriously added to then-President Duterte’s drugs watch list.

Barayuga, a native of Nueva Ecija, had settled with his family in Iloilo province. He had served as Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director and held several positions at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 before being reassigned to the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame, where he eventually retired.