Careful, evidence-based drug probe pushed
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go addressed, during a Senate media interview on Wednesday, 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.
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.
