MANILA, Philippines — Drug war whistleblower and former police officer Royina Garma returned to the Philippines on Saturday after nearly 10 months in the United States, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed.
Immigration spokesman Dana Sandoval said Garma arrived at about 7 p.m. and underwent standard arrival procedures just like any other Filipino returning from abroad.
Garma left the country in November 2024, days after publicly confirming the existence of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called Davao Death Squad and the reward system tied to his bloody drug war.
She was apprehended upon arrival in San Francisco and detained at the South Louisiana Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center while seeking political asylum.

Drug war whistleblower Royina Garma returns to PH after US detention, This news data comes from:http://052298.com
Her asylum bid was denied, and she was placed under US custody for eight months before her return.
Drug war whistleblower Royina Garma returns to PH after US detention
- Emma Tiglao crowned Miss Grand PH 2025
- HEADLINES: DPWH fires Bulacan engineers, blacklists contractors over anomalous projects | Sept. 5, 2025
- Alex Eala makes history With comeback victory at US Open
- Duterte defense files more motions challenging ICC prosecutor
- Heavy rain falls in parts of Southeast Asia after tropical storm blows into Vietnam
- Israel ups pressure on Gaza City as Trump talks post-war plan
- Opponents of Japan PM seek leadership contest
- Indonesia's delayed new capital risks 'white elephant' status
- PH, Japan conduct search and rescue exercises
- PNP chief Torre relieved from post — Palace