Bong Go: Duterte on top of situation; mobilizes all gov’t agencies, uniformed assets

Sen. Bong Go talks to President Rodrigo Duterte concerning the government response in providing assistance to victims of typhoon Ulysses. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said that President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the mobilization of all assets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to aid in the rescue operations as typhoon Ulysses inundated parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, overnight.

During a television interview on Thursday, November 12, Go said that Duterte already instructed the AFP to rescue Filipinos who were trapped due to the rising floods brought by the typhoon.

“Pinapa-mobilize n’ya po ang lahat ng assets ng AFP, including Air Force, Army, mga kapulisan, Coast Guard at Navy, lalo na po sa mga kailangan po ng rubber boats para mapasok agad at ma-rescue ang mga kababayan natin na na-trap,” Go said.

(He ordered the mobilization of AFP, including Air Force, Army, the police force, Coast Guard and Navy, especially those who are in need of rubber boats to rescue our trapped countrymen.)

“Inuuna po muna namin ang rescue ng mga kababayan natin sa Marikina, San Mateo (Rizal), mga na-trap sa bubong. Inatasan na ng Pangulo ang lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin,” he added.

(We are prioritizing the rescue of our countrymen in Marikina, San Mateo, who were trapped on the roof. Our President directed all government agencies to address the needs of our fellow Filipinos.)

Despite taking part in the high-level meetings of the 37th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits via video conference, Go assured that the President is closely monitoring and prioritizing the situation in the country.

“Nag-attend po si Pangulong Duterte sa ASEAN Summit. Kasalukuyan ay umalis po siya matapos n’yang magbigay ng intervention doon sa ASEAN para i-address ang nation,” Go said.

(President Duterte attended the ASEAN Summit. Currently he left so he can give intervention in the ASEAN to address the nation.)

“Nakamonitor po ang ating Pangulo sa lahat ng pangyayari,” he emphasized, adding that all Cabinet secretaries are prioritizing efforts to assist affected communities.

(Our President is monitoring all that is happening.)

“Kanina po ay nag-attend ang mga Cabinet secretaries sa ASEAN, subalit nagpaalam na po sila dahil inutusan ng Pangulo,” Go said.

(Earlier, Cabinet secretaries attended the ASEAN, but they have to excuse themselves upon getting instructions from the President.)

“Lahat ay umalis na, maliban kay (Department of Foreign Affairs) Secretary Teddy Locsin, para handa po ang tulong mula sa gobyerno. Importante po dito rescue natin, pagkain, post-disaster counseling at rehabilitation po,” he added.

(All have left, except for DFA Secretary Teddy Locsin, to prepare the response of the government. Rescue is very important, food, post-disaster counseling and rehabilitation.)

Meanwhile, the Senator said that his office has been monitoring the situation and is closely coordinating with various LGU officials and the military in assessing and responding to the needs of affected Filipinos.

“Ang aking opisina po ay naka-monitor, kanina pa kami nag-usap ng mga mayors, militar para mapabilis ang coordination,” he said.

(My office is also monitoring, I have been talking to the mayors, military, to expedite the coordination.)

“Sana bumaba na itong baha at makatulong kami sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan. Nakahanda kaming tumulong sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he assured.

(I hope the flood subsides and we can help all those needing aid. We are ready to give you assistance as far as we possibly can.)

Ending the interview, he urged all Filipinos to stay safe and observe health protocols especially those staying in evacuation centers. He also relayed Duterte’s message of bayanihan in this time of calamity.

“Ingat po tayo, lalo na po sa evacuation center, mga eskwelahan po pwedeng gamitin pero importante ma-maintain ang minimum health protocols para ‘di magkahawahan sa COVID-19. Importante po ma-evacuate sila agad sa safe na areas,” he said.

(Let us stay safe, especially in the evacuation center, these schools can be utilized but it is important to maintain the minimum health protocols so there will be no COVID infection. It is important to evacuate them to safer areas.)

“Ang sabi nga ng Pangulo, kapit lang tayo. Mag-bayanihan tayo, magtulungan tayo at ang gobyerno po nandito po para tumulong agad. Alam ko po, nahihirapan ang ating Pangulo sa sitwasyon, kaliwa’t kanang krisis ang kanyang kinakaharap pero kailangan po naming magtrabaho, kailangan n’yang magtrabaho,” he said, adding “hindi namin kayo pababayaan.”

(As the President said, let’s hold on. Let’s do bayanihan, help each other and the government is always here to give you assistance. I know that the President is having a hard time because of the situation, crisis is here and there and the President is facing them all because we need to work, he needs to work.)

JPV