Authorities are being urged to move detained whistleblower Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga to a safer facility following the filing of an affidavit that linked Vice President Sara Duterte’s 2022 election campaign to money allegedly sourced from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug financiers.
Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon said Madriaga’s safety should now be a priority, citing what he described as the gravity of the allegations and the risks faced by a detainee who has accused powerful figures.
“I am calling on our authorities to transfer Madriaga from his current detention,” Gadon said in Filipino in a video statement sent to DAILY TRIBUNE. “Because of Sara Duterte’s propensity to order killings. If she could order the killing of President Marcos, Liza, and Martin, what more of Madriaga who is already detained.”
Gadon warned that Madriaga could be harmed or killed inside detention facilities if security measures are not tightened.
“That is why he must be transferred and guarded closely — even his food should be watched, as he could be poisoned or killed during a riot inside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). He should be transferred as soon as possible,” he said.
He added that Madriaga’s own affidavit raises red flags about possible threats.
“You know that in his affidavit, he mentions that she often says, ‘I will have him killed,’ so Madriaga must be protected,” Gadon said.
Beyond concerns for the whistleblower’s safety, Gadon said the allegations themselves warrant a full investigation, stressing that campaign financing linked to POGOs and illegal drugs is not only unlawful but could pose national security risks.
Accepting campaign contributions from POGOs and drug-linked sources, he said, undermines the integrity of elections and raises concerns about foreign influence, particularly given allegations of POGOs’ links to China.
The affidavit has also prompted calls in Congress for a formal inquiry.
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. said Madriaga’s claims are detailed enough to merit serious scrutiny.
“Madriaga gave very detailed accounts. We need to investigate this thoroughly if there is any truth to any of his claims,” Abante said.
Abante, who chairs the House Committee on Human Rights, said the Office of the Ombudsman is well-positioned to conduct a parallel fact-finding investigation, given its mandate over alleged misuse of public office and possible corruption.
Madriaga, a self-proclaimed former “bagman,” detailed his claims in a notarized affidavit dated 29 November 2025.