Two of the five suspects in the killing of former PCSO Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga voluntarily surrendered to the NBI-Organized and Transnational Crime Division.
Nelson Mariano first surrendered on September 29, a day after the warrant of arrest was issued against him, to Royina Garma, Edilberto Leonardo, alias “Toks”, and Santie Mendoza.
Mendoza then surrendered on September 30. He was picked up by NBI personnel in Bacolod City and brought to Manila that night. According to their lawyer, Raymund Palad, they chose to surrender to the NBI because it is more neutral and safe, especially since the accused are former police officers.
Mendoza and Mariano strongly denied that they hid. Mendoza insisted that he did not hide and that he stands by his statement that Garma allegedly ordered the killing of Barayuga. He also called on Garma to surrender so that the case can be cleared up.
According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, Garma last spoke to him on September 6, but has not been able to contact him since then. If he is in another country, the case could go through extradition depending on the contact with the country he is in. Meanwhile, the Mandaluyong court ordered the return of the warrants of arrest within ten days.
