Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go urged the so-called narco-politicians to either clean up their act 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.
“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 the former presidential aide.
This developed after President Rodrigo Duterte released the list of 46 local government officials allegedly linked to the illegal drug trade.
The President revealed 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 that just like President Duterte, he is also committed to safeguard the innocent, particularly the country’s youth, from criminals.
“I am committed to the effort to safeguard the innocent from the criminal elements.”
If elected to Senate, Go said he would help further fine-tune government’s multi-pronged strategy to counter illegal drugs through enforcement, rehabilitation and reintegration.
“Bigyan natin ng karagdagang pondo ang PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) para mapalakas ang kanilang pwersa laban sa illegal na droga, pero dagdagan din natin ang mga rehabilitation at reformation centers,” Go said.
He 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 Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for proper rehabilitation, he said.
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,” he said.
Last January, Go had vowed to reject any support coming from narco politicians for his Senate bid as he also dismissed speculations making rounds in social media that some politicians included in the alleged narco list have offered to support his Senate 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,” he said.
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.
“I do 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,” he 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,” the President said.
Noting that public office is a public trust, the President said: “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.”
