Former National Police Commission (Napolcom) commissioner Edilberto Leonardo has fired back at murder and frustrated murder charges linked to the death of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga. His lawyer revealed on Friday that Leonardo has already submitted his counter-affidavit, challenging the accusations head-on.
“Sinubmit namin ‘yung hard copy today. It was duly subscribed tapos we affirmed,” lawyer Andres Manuel shared in an ambush interview at the Department of Justice—confirming the legal move without going into details.
Leonardo, together with former PCSO general Royina Garma, has been named by the House Quad Committee as a supposed mastermind behind Barayuga’s 2019 killing. Both have consistently denied any involvement in the case.
Meanwhile, Garma is also preparing her defense. Her lawyer, Emerito Quilang, has secured additional time to file her apostilled counter-affidavit, signaling that the legal battle is far from over. The twists in this high-profile case continue to unfold.