Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo is being held accountable for allegedly covering up the true circumstances surrounding the 2020 murder of retired police general Wesley Barayuga, a former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Board Secretary. This was stated by Ace Barbers, the lead chairperson of the House Quad Committee (QuadComm).
Barbers criticized Grijaldo’s explanations during Tuesday’s QuadComm inquiry, arguing that they failed to clarify key details about Barayuga’s death. At the time of the incident, Grijaldo was serving as the police chief of Mandaluyong, where the murder occurred.
“One major question he failed to answer is why his report linked General Barayuga to illegal drugs,” Barbers said, emphasizing that Grijaldo’s report cited personal grudges and work-related motives as contributing factors. Barbers noted that this appeared to align with a broader pattern during that period, where killings of alleged drug personalities were prevalent.
When questioned by Cagayan de Oro Representative Lordan Suan on whether he personally included the claim about Barayuga’s alleged drug connections in the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) resolution, Grijaldo struggled to provide a clear response.
Grijaldo explained, “By the time the SITG resolution was finalized, I had already been relieved as Chief of Police in Mandaluyong.”
Barbers stated that the QuadComm is still determining the specific criminal charges they could recommend against Grijaldo. “Our committee report will detail our findings,” he added.
Grijaldo in Contempt
Grijaldo is currently detained at Quezon City Police District Station 6 after being cited for contempt by the QuadComm for refusing to answer lawmakers’ questions during the inquiry.
Reinvestigation Underway
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has reopened the Barayuga murder case. Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin revealed that the NBI plans to file criminal charges against the individuals involved in February.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Santi Mendoza claimed during the QuadComm probe that former PCSO General Manager Royina Garma and National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo ordered Barayuga’s killing. Both Garma and Leonardo have strongly denied these allegations.