Sen. Bong Go Speaks on Criticisms against Former Pres. Duterte over his Anti-Drugs Campaign
BONG GO – The Senator defended former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte against the critics of his administration’s war on drugs.
It is widely known that the most popular campaign of the Duterte administration is the war on drugs. Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has always been vocal about how he hates the illegal substance as he wanted to protect the youth. However, it has earned countless criticisms for how the campaign was allegedly implemented.
There are deaths that were linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs campaign. The House of Representatives previously invited former Pres. Duterte and Senator Bato dela Rosa for an investigation but they declined.
Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police during the term of Duterte. Currently, he is facing several allegations including the accusation that he is one of those who are allegedly behind the implication of former Sen. Leila de Lima in drug trade allegations.
Self-proclaimed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa claimed that Sen. Bato dela Rosa allegedly forced him to implicate De Lima and Peter Lim. Espinosa apologized to De Lima. He claimed that he only did it to avoid having the same fate as his father.
Kerwin Espinosa is the son of slain Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa who was killed during a raide. There are several other individuals who testified against De Lima who, later on, recanted their statements.
Former Sen. Leila de Lima is one of the staunch critics of the war on drugs of the Duterte administration. She and former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte have exchanged heated statements several times.
The Duterte administration’s war on drugs have earned several criticisms. Recently, Sen. Bong Go who is a close ally of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte spoke to defend the former Chief Executive.
Based on a report on GMA News, Sen. Bong Go recalled that the “everyone” clapped their hands and gave former Pres. Duterte a standing ovation whenever he would mention his administration’s anti-drugs campaign in his speech for the State of the Nation Address. He recalled that there six SONAs.
“Nagpapalakpakan po ang lahat, standing ovation. Tapos bakit ngayon sinisisi? Bakit ngayon mag-isa na lang siya? Hindi ba kayo nakinabang?” Sen. Bong Go said.
Based on the report, Sen. Bong Go also denied the claim of retired police colonel Royina Garma that there was allegedly a cash reward system in the implementation of the campaign.
“Wala pong reward system na umiiral sa kanyang opisina. Sinusuportahan niya po ang kapulisan,” he said.