Calls on authorities to intensify security, prioritize maintaining peace and order

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has strongly condemned the shooting incident in Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City on Sunday which left three dead, including former mayor Rose Furigay of Lamitan, Basilan.

The shooting, which happened hours before the graduation ceremony of the Ateneo Law School, also cost the lives of Furigay’s long-time aide and a campus security guard. Meanwhile, Furigay’s daughter, who was one of the graduates, was injured and is reported to be recovering.

“Kinokondena ko po ang nangyari at nakikiramay po ako sa pamilya Furigay. Nakikiramay din po ako sa empleyado ng Ateneo, sa security guard na nadamay lang po,” Go remarked in an interview before the State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25.

“Sa ating mga pulis, wag kayong magkumpiyansa… tulad ng nangyari sa Japan, ibig sabihin, ganun na lang po kadali ang pumatay ng tao ngayon. Huwag natin hayaang merong criminal mind na bigla na lang papatay ng tao na ganun kadali. The more we should intensify our security,” he urged.

The senator underscored how former president Rodrigo Duterte has prioritized peace and order under his administration, particularly the campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.

“Alam n’yo kapag pumasok po ang droga sa ating bansa, papasok na rin po ang kriminalidad. Kapag pumasok po ang iligal na droga uli, papasok na po ang korapsyon, makokorap na po ang iba d’yan,” Go noted.

“‘Yung mga street crimes, ‘yun po ang ikinakabahala ni dating Pangulong Duterte. Even in the future po, yun po ang ikinakatakot (kaya naging pokus ng Duterte Administration ang kampanya laban sa iligal na droga at kriminalidad),” he added.

The senator then called on law enforcement agencies and the current administration to sustain the gains made by former president Duterte in maintaining peace and order in the country.

“Sa totoo lang during the past six years, tanungin n’yo na lang po ang inyong mga anak, pamilya ninyo, even mga OFWs tanungin n’yo po, mas nakakalakad po ang mga anak n’yo na meron kayong peace of mind. Ang ayaw natin mangyari ay maghari uli ang kriminal sa daan,” Go said.

“‘Yun po ang sana i-address rin ng ating administrasyon ngayon. ‘Yung naumpisahan po ni (dating) pangulong Duterte. Gusto po nating ang mga kababayan natin ay makauwi nang ligtas sa gabi. Sana ‘yun po ang maipagpatuloy ng new administration, na ma-maintain po ang peace and order – na wag pong bumalik ang mga kriminal at iligal na droga,” he reiterated.

Committed to continuing the campaign against illegal drugs and criminality, Go has earlier refiled Senate Bill No. 428 to establish a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every province throughout the Philippines.

He also filed SBN 419, providing a Magna Carta of benefits for the officers and personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency; and SBN 422, extending free legal assistance to any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, who may be facing any charge arising from an incident related to the performance of official duty.