* Legislators slams PDEA officials for dragging Go in POGO, drugs probe
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go addressed, during a Senate media interview on Wednesday, November 27, the mention of his name in a House Quad-Committee (QuadComm) inquiry on POGO and illegal drugs.
During the House probe on the same day, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) included the senator’s name in a flawed matrix connecting public officials to alleged drug personalities.
Go categorically denied any connection, calling the accusations baseless, malicious, and a distraction from more pressing issues like public service and governance.
“Galit po kami sa droga. Galit po kami sa mga drug lords,” Go declared during the interview. “Rehashed na naman po ito. Napaka-iresponsable naman po ng PDEA sa kanilang ihahayag sa mga hearings, nagiging malicious po ito, illogical attempt to establish guilt by association,” he added.
Go’s name was included in PDEA’s matrix as an acquaintance of a certain Allan Lim who is allegedly involved in illegal drugs. Go addressed the malicious attempt to tarnish his reputation, saying, “Ako ‘yung taong namamansin po ng lahat. Ngayon uso yung picture taking, kahit sino na lang nagpapa-picture, (halimbawa) nakakasama mo sa isang dinner. Hindi mo naman matanong kung sino sila. Alangan namang isa-isa mong tanungin.”
Go called out the political motives and emphasized the repeated nature of these accusations, particularly their timing during election seasons.
“Siraan, kukulayan ka ng itim para pumuti ‘yung iba. Dudumihan ka, tatapunan ka ng dumi para sila po ang pumuti. Paulit-ulit ‘to eh. Paulit-ulit… after a year, after a month, lalabas na naman ‘yung litrato, sasabihin na kaibigan mo. Paulit-ulit lang po ito,” he remarked, dismissing the allegations as distractions from real issues such as peace, order, and the fight against illegal drugs.
Defending former President Rodrigo Duterte, Go highlighted Duterte’s staunch anti-drug campaign. “Napaka-unfair naman kay dating Pangulong Duterte. Siya mismo ang galit sa droga. Tapos siya ngayon magpo-protekta ng droga? Napaka-imposible po nun.”
He affirmed that neither he nor Duterte would tolerate any association with drug lords. “Sinabi na dati ng Pangulong Duterte na kung alam n’yang drug lord itong si Michael Yang, papatayin niya.”
Go defended his track record during his tenure as Special Assistant to the President (SAP) from 2016 to 2018, highlighting his role in the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality.
“Alam n’yo, noong panahon po na SAP po ako, 2016 to 2018, bago po ako naging senador… ang kanyang [former President Rodrigo Duterte] ipinangako, nalabanan po n’ya ang illegal na droga. Fight against illegal drugs, fight against criminality, fight against corruption in government,” said Go.
During the said House Quad-Committee hearing, lawmakers even castigated PDEA’s rationale for including Go in the matrix. PDEA Deputy Director General Renato Gumban was slammed by lawmakers for this baseless inclusion.
Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante challenged PDEA on why Go was named in the matrix when there was no direct evidence tying him to illegal drug operations. “It would be wrong for you to include a person who is not involved in those alleged crimes. Huwag tayong magkakamali because we do not want to accuse a wrong person,” Abante fumed at PDEA.
Meanwhile, Rep. Ace Barbers, chairperson of the inquiry, emphasized the importance of careful and evidence-based investigations. He cautioned against the dangers of implicating individuals without substantial proof, noting the potential damage to reputations caused by unfounded accusations.
Meanwhile, Go also urged government agencies like PDEA to ensure the credibility of their reports. “Dapat po ay maging responsable po ang lahat, lalung lalo na po ang mga nasa gobyerno, sa kanilang magiging report. Hindi naman yata tama na isa sa pagbabasehan nila ay report mula sa hindi naman credible na witness. Hindi ko alam bakit galit na galit sa amin at pinag-iinitan kami nyan,” Go said.
He reiterated his dedication to serving the Filipino people with integrity, despite persistent political attacks: “Ako naman, bilang inyong senador, nagse-serbisyo lang po ako ng maayos sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino at patuloy po ako magse-serbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya.” (Photo courtesy of Senator Bong Go facebook page)
