Former police officer Royina Garma answers questions from the House Quad Committee on September 12, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the Philippines and the United States will be invoked by the Philippine government for the return of retired police colonel Royina Garma.

Under the MLAT,  the scope of assistance to be provided by the two countries include  the taking of testimony or statements of persons, providing documents and items of evidence, as well as transferring persons in custody for testimony or other purposes.

“I am asking the immigration people to do the formal work but anyway we have a, MLAT or the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty so we will work this out,” Remulla said.

Garma, who directly tagged former President Rodrigo Duterte to a nationwide implementation of his drug war in Davao City, was arrested and detained in San Francisco, California last November 7, 2024 because of her cancelled United States visa.

Garma, ex-cop who linked Duterte to EJKs, has left Philippines: DOJ

Remulla also confirmed that Garma’s visa cancellation was because of the Magnitsky Act which authorizes the U.S. government to sanction foreign government officials worldwide who are human rights offenders, freeze their assets, and ban them from entering the United States.

“Kasi Magnitsky Act iyan, they are after her properties that she stored there, her money laundering activities and of course the human rights violations that were part of Magnitsky Act,” Remulla said.

While there is no timetable yet for the return of Garma, Remulla said she will be brought back to the Philippines as soon as possible.

“Alam mo naman basta ganyang usapan there is no clock that we can use to tick off the time so we just have to play it by ear,” Remulla said.

Garma likely on her way back to PH: envoy