BONG GO: ‘NO ILLEGAL ORDERS FROM FORMER PRESIDENT DUTERTE DURING WAR ON DRUGS’

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go defended the Duterte administration’s firm stance against drugs and criminality, asserting that no illegal orders were given, and no reward system existed for police operations.

Speaking in a radio interview on October 15, Go addressed allegations of sanctioned killings and reward systems related to the fight against illegal drugs, dismissing them as baseless and grounded in hearsay.

“Kawawa naman po ‘yung ibang tao na nadadamay dahil sa mga hearsay at baseless accusation. Kawawa naman ‘yung tao na… meron po siyang dino-drawing-drawing doon na wala naman pong kinalaman dahil wala nga pong reward system,” Go said.

Reflecting on the past, Go pointed out how Duterte’s war on drugs brought significant benefits to ordinary citizens with its strong stance against crimes. He however clarified that Duterte’s orders were all within the bounds of the law.

“Noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte, ang durugista po ang takot. At ayaw nating mangyari na ang durugista ang maghasik ng lagim,” he said.

He recalled the fears of drug pushers and users under Duterte’s term, noting that their days of terrorizing communities were being put to an end.

“Hayaan na po natin na taumbayan ang humusga kung mas nakakalakad ba ang mga anak natin na hindi nasasaktan, hindi nababastos ng mga drug addict noong panahon po ni dating Pangulong Duterte,” Go continued.

He added: “Kapag bumalik ang ilegal na droga, babalik po ang kriminalidad. Ang taumbayan na po ang humusga kung nakinabang ba ang Pilipino sa ginawa niyang strong stance against illegal drugs noong panahon niya bilang pangulo.”

Go further emphasized how Duterte’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs gave overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones back home could walk the streets more safely.

The senator stressed that the eradication of illegal drugs is crucial in improving the quality of life for everyday citizens.

He also pointed out that this was one of the main reasons why Duterte maintained high public approval ratings throughout his presidency.

“Nagkaroon po siya ng mataas na approval rating noong nag-umpisa ang kanyang administrasyon hanggang natapos… dahil sa kanyang strong stance or strong position against illegal drugs,” Go explained, underlining the public’s trust in Duterte’s firm leadership.

Statistics from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) show that crime rates in the Philippines dropped by a staggering 73.76% during the first five years of Duterte’s term.

According to PUBLiCUS Asia Inc.’s Pahayag 2022 first-quarter survey, Duterte held a 67.2% approval rating and a 61.2% trust rating, showing an upward trend from the previous year.

An SWS survey conducted in June 2022 found that 88% of Filipinos expressed satisfaction with his leadership, an uncommon feat for a president at the end of their term.

Go reiterated his willingness to support any investigation into Duterte’s war on drugs, should it be necessary to show the people the truth behind the drug war and the benefits resulting from it.

“Kung kakailanganin po para magkaroon tayo ng parallel investigation dito sa Senado, I am very much willing na mag-file din po ng resolution para magkaroon po ng investigation din po sa Senado,” he said.