Senator Bong Go reiterated his support for the reimposition of the death penalty in cases involving heinous crimes related to illegal drugs.
In an ambush interview after personally aiding struggling residents in Sariaya, Quezon, Go emphasized the need to instill fear in criminals and highlighted the devastating impact of drug-related offenses on countless innocent lives and families.
“Alam nyo, basta involved sa heinous crime, dapat talaga lethal injection. Kailangan takutin mo talaga. Alam mo kung bakit? Ito, ang drogang ito, ilang buhay po ang wawasakin nito. Bawat gramo, bawat kilo, ilang buhay po ang sisirain? Ilang pamilya ang sisirain?” the legislator said.
The lawmaker stressed that death penalty, if implemented, can be a deterrent to heinous crimes.
The senator said that there should be consequences for those who take the lives of others.
“Talagang tuluyan mo ang mga tao na walang ginagawa kundi pumatay din ng tao.”
“Sang-ayon po ako dyan para takutin talaga. Hindi lang takutin, talagang tuluyan mo ang mga tao na walang ginagawa kundi pumatay din ng tao. Kasi kapag pumasok ka sa droga, sisirain mo, wawasakin mo ang buhay ng kapwa mo Pilipino,” he explained.
Go then highlighted the efforts of former president Rodrigo Duterte to combat the illegal drug trade and the ensuing problems it brought to society. According to him, when drugs flood the streets, crime and corruption inevitably follow.
“Kaya ganun na lang po ang galit ni (dating) Pangulong Duterte sa iligal na droga. Kapag pumasok po ang droga, papasok po ang kriminalidad, papasok po ang korapsyon. Mabibili po ‘yan. ‘Yan po ang kinatatakutan natin dito, kapag bumalik po ang iligal na droga, hindi na po magiging safe maglakad ang mga anak natin,” Go said.
During the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing, Go inquired with the PNP leadership regarding their stance on potentially appointing Duterte as the country’s anti-drug czar, taking into account the significant decrease in crime rates during his term.
“Kung gagawin man siyang drug czar dapat may ngipin kasi kapag walang ngipin hindi katatakutan ‘yan.”
Go mentioned that the former president would be a valuable asset in the role, saying, “Ibig sabihin ang kailangan dito ay talagang kamay na bakal, takutin mo talaga. Pero kailangan may ngipin. Kung gagawin man siyang drug czar dapat may ngipin kasi kapag walang ngipin hindi katatakutan ‘yan.”
He also expressed disappointment in the reported corruption among police officers involved in drugs, highlighting the destructive impact of drug proliferation on the institution mandated to protect innocent lives and families.
Meanwhile, Go urged the public not to let the progress made in combating criminality and illegal drugs, spearheaded by the former president, go to waste.
He emphasized the need to prevent a return of drug syndicates and criminals, as more individuals desire a peaceful and quiet existence.
“Ang mga OFW natin, nandun sila sa ibang bansa nagtatrabaho para may ipapadala sila sa kanilang mga anak. Importante sa kanila peace of mind na hindi nasasaktan ang kanilang mga anak at hindi nababastos dito habang nagtatrabaho sila abroad,” Go said.
He then reiterated his call to the Philippine National Police to intensify efforts against the illegal drug trade.
Go stressed that the illegal drug problem should be eradicated and that a strong stance against it must be sustained.
“‘Yan po ang importante to maintain peace and order. Dapat po mawala ang iligal na droga, dapat po ay labanan ang iligal na droga. ‘Yan po ang aking panawagan sa kapulisan,” he concluded.
Go is an advocate of a more holistic approach to fighting illegal drugs.
Last year, he also filed Senate Bill No. 428 which seeks to establish a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every province throughout the country, highlighting the remarkable gains from the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs and its success in likewise addressing criminality and corruption.
Go also filed SBN 2115, which aims to institutionalize a technical-vocational education and training (TVET) and livelihood program designed specifically for rehabilitated drug dependents.
