Bong Go

Bong Go airs concern over reported kidnap cases; backs stronger anti-crime efforts

September 14, 2022 People's Journal 337 views

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed concern over recent reports of abduction and kidnappings in the country as he urged the government to maintain a tougher stance against criminality.

“Ako rin po ay nababahala sa mga naiulat na kidnapping. Suportado ko po ang pagpapatawag ng hearing ni Senator (Ronald) “Bato” (dela Rosa). Marami po akong naririnig at nababahala tayo dito sa mga killings, whether Chinese nationals or locals,” said Go in an ambush interview at the Senate on Monday, September 12.

Recently, Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Ronald Dela Rosa warned that the rise in kidnappings and other crimes may be a sign that the problem with illegal drugs is returning. He also raised the issue of recent incidents of kidnappings in various parts of the country, notably those involving women and Chinese Filipinos. Dela Rosa said that his committee will hold a public hearing on the reported incidents.

Meanwhile, Go recalled how under former president Rodrigo Duterte, the country’s peace and order situation had improved, and that a strong stance against criminality must be sustained to address the new wave of reported crimes and kidnappings.

“Still meron pong krimen na nangyayari at napaka-importante po para sa atin ang peace and order. Ito po ‘yung pinaghirapan ng ating mahal na dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte… na makakalakad po ang ating mga anak tuwing gabi na hindi nasasaktan at walang pangamba,” said Go.

“Ngayon, medyo nakakabahala ang mga naiuulat, mga street crimes, mga petty crimes, hold-up, kidnapping. Nakakabahala po,” he added.

Nonetheless, Go expressed confidence that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. likewise gives the country’s peace and order situation a high priority and his administration will firmly deal with the issue.

“I’m sure… sigurado rin po ako, isa sa priority ng ating administrasyon, ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na ma-address agad kung may katotohanan man ang mga naiulat na kidnappings these days,” said Go.

Go suggested that improving the situation could require an even harder stance against criminals, saying, “kailangan po bigyan natin ng lakas ng loob — na alam ng kapulisan na suportado po sila ng ating gobyerno.”

“Siguro… konting takot pa. Konting ngipin, konting takot… para medyo, sa bisaya, mag-kinto ang mga kriminal,” he added.

The Philippine National Police should not downplay the reports of kidnapping, Go continued, as this will worry Filipinos more.

“It will cause alarm po. Lalung lalo na po sa Pilipinong gusto pong mabuhay ng tahimik at makapaglakad po ang kanilang anak sa gabi at makauwi nang hindi po nasasaktan,” said Go.

Go then asked law enforcement agencies to continuously fight crime in order to make life more comfortable and safe for all Filipinos.

“Ako po ay nananawagan sa ating kapulisan na gawin n’yo po ang inyong trabaho. Trabaho n’yo po ito to make life comfortable and safe for all Filipinos, lalung lalo na po ang mga magulang na gusto lang pong makapaglakad ang kanilang mga anak, makakauwi sa gabi na ligtas,” he said.

Go also cautioned that if the country’s peace and order situation is threatened, the economy will also be adversely impacted.

“Apektado po ang businesses kapag walang law and order. Kapag may peace and order, development will follow. Automatic na po ‘yun, papasok ang mga investors hindi matatakot, kumpiyansa sila na mag-invest sa ating bayan. So, napakaimportante po ng law and order,” he ended.

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