MANILA — Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza has faced a preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice on the murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

Respondent to the murder and frustrated murder complaints include former PCSO general manager Royina Garma.

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Asked about the whereabouts of Garma, her lawyer said he cannot ascertain if his client is seeking asylum in the United States.

“If the person is there, there’s no other thing she will do except to ask for asylum, so I presume,” said Atty. Emerito Quilang.

In the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police, Mendoza was named as one of the respondents, along with retired Police Col. Edilberto Leonardo, Nelson Mariano and Police SMS Jeremy Causapin.

But in a letter from NBI Director Jaime Santiago, the bureau recommended to the DOJ that respondents Mendoza and Mariano be declared as state witnesses.