Bong Go says Duterte’s ambush remark on Loot a ‘joke,’ but also a ‘warning’

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Bong Go said Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s supposed admission of ordering the ambush of former Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot was a mere joke and a warning against those who will engage in the illegal drug trade.

Speaking before Senate reporters, Go said that “definitely,” Duterte will not order the ambush of Loot, a former police general whom the Chief Executive accused of being a protector of drug rings — an allegation that Loot had denied.

“Biro lang, pero warning ‘yun sa lahat, ‘pag pumasok kayo sa droga, gobernador o mayor man kayo basta pag pumasok kayo sa droga, andyan talaga ang risk (That was a joke, but also a warning to everyone that if you enter the drug trade, whether you are a governor or mayor, there is really a risk,” said Go, a close ally of Duterte.

“Ako na ang nagsasabi sa inyo. I’ve known the President for 21 years. Totoo man o hindi ‘yung mga sinabi nya sa kanyang mga speeches, bulong o body language, maaaring totoo, maaaring hindi. Ingat po kayo,” he added.

(I am telling this to you now. I have known the President for 21 years. What he says in his speeches, when he whispers, or his body language, it may be true or not. You should be careful.)

According to Go, Duterte would not have admitted ordering the ambush on Loot in public if he was indeed the mastermind.

He further said Duterte’s remark is a warning against those who will be involved in corruption and criminality.

Duterte, in a speech on Tuesday, seemed to have said he ordered the ambush on the former police official in May 2018, which also left four others injured.

“General Loot. P***** in* mo. Nanalo pa ng mayor. In-ambush kita, animal ka. Buhay pa rin (General Loot, you son of a b*tch. You even became mayor. I ordered your ambush. You are still alive),” the President said.

READ: Panelo blames Duterte’s misspeak for Loot ambush remark

But according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte did not admit his involvement in the ambush and that the President only “misspeaks” the Filipino language which is not his native tongue. /je