MANILA — Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Friday urged so-called narco-politicians to either clean up their acts or submit evidence to clear their names.
“Para po sa mga nabanggit na opisyales, mas makabubuti kung kusang-loob kayong makipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad,” Go said in an interview.
“Kung iginigiit naman ninyong wala kayo talagang kinalaman sa illegal na droga, magbigay kayo ng sapat na ebidensya para malinis ang inyong pangalan at mawala ang pagdududa sa inyo ng taong bayan,” added Go, a 2019 senatorial bet.
This developed after President Rodrigo Duterte released on Thursday night the list of 46 local government officials allegedly linked to illegal drug trade.
Duterte bared the drug list during the National and Regional Peace and Order Council meeting in Davao City.
In running for the Senate, Go committed to support the programs and policies of President Duterte, including the campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.
“Galit po si Pangulong Duterte sa mga kriminal; galit din ako sa kanila. Galit si Pangulong Duterte sa kurap, galit din ako sa kurap. Galit si Pangulong Duterte sa ilegal na droga, galit din po ako sa droga,” he said.
Go said like President Duterte, he is committed to the effort to safeguard the innocent from the criminal elements, particularly the country’s youth.
If elected to the Senate, Go said he would help further fine-tune the government’s multi-pronged strategy to counter illegal drugs through enforcement, rehabilitation and reintegration.
“Bigyan natin ng karagdagang pondo ang PDEA para mapalakas ang kanilang pwersa laban sa illegal na droga, pero dagdagan din natin ang mga rehabilitation at reformation centers,” Go said.
Go also called for amendments to existing laws to deprive drug syndicates the opportunity to exploit minors as drug couriers.
Apprehended minors, on the other hand, should be confined in reformation centers, separate from adult detainees, and assisted by the DSWD for proper rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Go said any politician or aspirant for public office with links to the illegal drug trade should stay away from him or suffer the consequences.
“Kung meron man pong mga politiko na sangkot sa droga, mas mabuti po layuan nyo na lang ako. Pag nalaman ko po na meron kayong kinalaman sa illegal na droga, pasensyahan tayo—ako na mismo ang magrereport sa inyo sa mga awtoridad at kay Pangulong Duterte,” Go stressed.
Last January, Go had vowed to reject any support coming from narco-politicians for his Senate bid as he also dismissed speculations going the rounds in social media that some politicians included in the alleged narco-list submitted to President Duterte were offering support for his senatorial bid.
“Hindi ko naman po makikilala (lahat) kung sino-sino ‘yung nagpapa-picture sa akin, tumatabi sa akin, at sino ‘yung sumusuporta sa akin. Pero kung sangkot sa iligal na droga po kayo, no compromise. Pakiusap ko lang, lumayo kayo sa akin at lumayo kayo sa droga dahil mas delikado po ang buhay ninyo d’yan,” Go stressed.
Go said while he is trying to win the support of the people as well as of other local and national leaders, he does not want to have to do anything with narco politicians.
“Basta narco-politician, wala pong compromise diyan. Hindi po ako tumatanggap ng anumang suporta mula sa narco-politicians,” the former presidential aide said.
Before naming the officials allegedly involved in the narco-list, President Duterte said he relied on the appropriate government agencies to validate the information.
“My decision to unmask these drug personalities was anchored on my trust in the government agencies who have vetted and validated the narco-list,” Duterte said.
Noting that public office is a public trust, Duterte stressed that “an official’s right to privacy is not absolute, ” adding that there is a compelling reason to prioritize the interest of the state and the people.” (PR)
