NBI to file raps vs Barayuga slay suspects

MANILA, Philippines —  Criminal charges will be filed next month against the suspects in the July 2020 murder of retired police general and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga, according to an official of the National Bureau of Investigation.

NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin informed the House of Representatives quad committee on Tuesday that the probe into Barayuga’s case is nearing conclusion.

“We are wrapping up the investigation. In about three weeks’ time, we will be filing cases against those involved,” Lavin told the congressional hearing.

The NBI is just waiting for the results of a forensic examination on the gadgets provided by Barayuga’s widow, Lavin said.

“These gadgets were turned over to our agent in Iloilo, Arnold Diaz, who applied for warrants to examine the contents,” he said.

The gadgets were sent to the NBI central office for analysis.

Barayuga’s murder case was reopened during the House quad committee hearing in September 2024.

During the hearing, police Lt. Col. Santi Mendoza testified and admitted his involvement in the killing of Barayuga shortly after the victim left the PCSO office in Mandaluyong on July 30, 2020.

Mendoza has tagged former PCSO general manager Royina Garma, a close ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, as the alleged brains in the ambush.

Mendoza also accused retired police colonel Edilberto Leonardo, a former commissioner of the National Police Commission, of instructing him to eliminate Barayuga.

Barayuga was labeled as a “high-value” target in Duterte’s drug war.

Prosecutors from the Department of Justice are assessing whether Mendoza can be tapped as a state witness.