NO ‘REWARD SYSTEM’ IN DUTERTE’S ANTI-DRUG OPERATIONS, SAYS BONG GO AS HE EMPHASIZES PUBLIC SUPPORT ON WAR ON DRUGS WHICH RESULTED IN SAFER COMMUNITIES

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go firmly denied allegations of a so-called “reward system” during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, emphasizing that no such system was ever implemented in exchange for lives lost in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

He stressed that the former president, a lawyer and former prosecutor, always respected the rule of law and that no directives from Duterte sanctioned senseless killings. “Walang reward system na iniimplementa noon kapalit ang buhay ng sinuman,” Go added.

Go expressed dismay with how the accomplishments of the previous administration’s drug campaign are now being politicized, highlighting that the efforts once enjoyed widespread public approval for helping people feel safer in their communities.

“Nakakalungkot na baliktad na ang panahon ngayon. Hinahaluan ng pulitika ang mga imbestigasyon, at binabalewala na ang pinagsikapan ng nakaraang administrasyon na linisin ang bansa laban sa kriminalidad at droga para sa kinabukasan ng bayan at ng ating mga anak,” he lamented.

Go, who served as Special Assistant to the President since Duterte assumed office in 2016 up until October of 2018, also stated that his role never involved any participation in police operations or financial management within the Office of the President, and categorically refuted claims linking the administration to incentivized killings.

“Bilang Special Assistant to the President noon, I have no participation whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in the operational requirements of the war on drugs,” he said, explaining that “as stated in the Executive Order creating my position, my functions are limited to scheduling, appointments, and presidential engagements. My mandate does not include police operations.”

“Let me be very clear. Walang kinalaman ang aking opisina sa operasyon at organisasyon ng kapulisan. Hindi rin ako mismo humahawak ng pera ng opisina ng Pangulo dahil hindi yan parte ng mga tungkulin ko noon,” he added.

Go also pointed to Duterte’s long-standing commitment to fighting illegal drugs and criminality as one of the key platforms that earned him widespread support and ultimately the presidency. He reminded that this was a crucial commitment made by Duterte to the Filipino people.

“Ilan sa mga plataporma na inilatag ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte noong tumatakbo palang siya na naging rason rin ng kanyang pagkapanalo ay ang kampanya kontra droga at kriminalidad na sumisira sa bayan. Kaya noong naging pangulo siya, ‘kontrata’ niya yan sa taumbayan na kalabanin talaga ang talamak na iligal na droga sa bansa at magkaroon ng maayos na lipunan,” said Go.

He reiterated that the war on drugs was not only central to Duterte’s governance but also widely supported across various sectors, with both Houses of Congress lauding the campaign during Duterte’s State of the Nation Addresses (SONA) from 2016 to 2021.

“Both Houses of Congress are in agreement with this policy, even giving the Former President a standing ovation when the war on drugs is mentioned during his SONAs,” Go recalled. He emphasized that the campaign’s primary goal was to create a safer society for Filipinos.

He further underscored the widespread public support that Duterte’s anti-drug campaign received, and how it made Filipinos feel safer in their communities.

“The war on drugs of the previous administration, lest we forget, enjoyed widespread public support across all sectors and people are now seeing the difference in how once upon a time they felt safe in the streets and their communities,” Go added.

Responding to recent accusations stemming from the affidavit of Colonel Garma during a Senate Quad Committee hearing, Go criticized what he called diversionary tactics aimed at muddling the real issue.

He described the statements as “malicious and unsubstantiated” and urged the Senate to conduct a parallel but fair and impartial investigation into the allegations.

“Palagi kong sinasabi, karapatan ng taumbayan na malaman ang katotohanan. Doon lang sana tayo sa totoo at tama. Kilala n’yo po ako. Mas gusto kong magtrabaho at magserbisyo lamang sa kapwa ko Pilipino pero kung sariling pangalan ko na ang nadudungisan, hindi ako papayag dyan,” Go firmly stated.