2024 Congressional inquiry
A quad committee was formed by the House of Representatives to investigate Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, extrajudicial killings and the Philippine drug war in August 2024. [7]
On August 22, 2024, the Fernando Magdadaro and Leopoldo Tan Jr. in the quad committee inquiries alleged that they were promised and promised liberty for killing the three Chinese inmates back in 2016. They alleged that SPO4 Arthur Narsolis convinced them to kill the three in exchange of talking to President Rodrigo Duterte for their release if they are successful. They noted that the three Chinese inmates are detained in a separate cell than Magddaro and Tan. [3] [8]
In August 11, 2016, a search was conducted on the two's cell where authorities found the two in possession of meth which would be allegedly used as a pretext to move them to a same cell as the three Chinese. Two days later the killing would occur. The promise of liberty to the Magdadaro and Tan were left unfilled as Duterte's presidential term expired in 2022. [3] [8]
Tan said he allegedly overhead a phone call of DPPF Officer in Charge Gerardo Padilla being congratulated by President Rodrigo Duterte for the killing. [3] [8] Padilla affirmed Tan's testimony of the call having taken place. [9]
Police official Royina Garma was implicated in the killings. Padilla initially denied prior interactions with her but recanted the statement. He alleged Garma pressured him not to intervene in a plot against the Chinese inmates via the phone of former policeman and inmate Jimmy Fortaleza. [10] Garma denies the allegation, insinuating Padilla is attempting to absolve himself of accountability and Fortaleza due to resentment of her not pushing for a presidential pardon for him. [11]
Rodrigo Duterte's former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque dismissed the claims as hearsay while his legal counsel Salvador Panelo labeled the hearing as a demolition job against former President Duterte. [3]