Bong Go urges mandatory drug rehab centers nationwide
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go remains focused on eliminating illegal drugs in the country as he refiled Senate bill No. 428 to establish a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every province throughout the Philippines.
Citing the remarkable gains from former president Rodrigo Duterte’s fight against illegal drugs, Go emphasized the need to continue the drug war campaign, adding how it has likewise addressed other issues, such as criminality and corruption.
“Kapag nako-contain mo ‘yung illegal drugs, kasama na diyan ‘yung criminality at ‘yung korapsyon. ‘Pag lumala ‘yung drugs, babalik ‘yung criminality, at tataas ‘yung korapsyon — makokorap na po ‘yung tao,” Go underscored previously.
“Nakikita naman po sa datos na napakarami na po talaga ang nasira ang buhay nang dahil sa iligal na droga. Huwag po natin sayangin ang inyong bukas at gumawa na lang po ng tama. Kaya kung kinakailangan niyo po ng tulong, sabihan niyo lang po kami,” expressed Go.
As of February 2022, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported a total of 331,694 suspects arrested in the 229,868 drug war operations conducted since July 2016. Among the number of arrested syndicates, PDEA reported a total of 15,096 high-value targets. Authorities have also seized illegal drugs worth PhP89.29 billion across the country, including PhP76.17 billion worth of shabu.
Despite these achievements, Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, pointed out that the elimination of drug-related crimes does not solve everything. Attention must also be directed towards the rehabilitation and recovery of their victims.
“Isa sa mga ipinagbilin ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa akin ay ang ipagpatuloy ang laban kontra sa ilegal na droga, pati na rin ang laban sa korapsyon at kriminalidad. Umaasa tayo na sa pagpasok ng susunod na administrasyon ay mas mapapalakas pa ang kampanyang ito upang tuluyang mabigyan ng mas ligtas at komportableng buhay ang mga Pilipino,” remarked Go.
Under the proposed measure, a drug rehabilitation center is required to be established in every province, under the supervision of the Department of Health.
The center shall provide care, treatment and accommodation to drug dependents; enhance their physical, psychological and social capability to cope with common problems; and provide after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services, among others.
“Drug addicts should be treated as victims in desperate need of medical, psychological, and spiritual assistance, with the goal of reintegrating back into society as healthy and productive citizens,” said Go.
“Dapat bigyan po natin sila ng pagkakataon ng panibagong buhay,” he stressed.
To further strengthen the campaign against illegal drugs by the government, Go also filed a Magna Carta of benefits for the officers and personnel of PDEA. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, he likewise filed the Philippine National Games (PNG) Bill to encourage Filipinos to engage in sports rather than vices like illegal drugs.
