Go: Probe should uncover the ‘reality of campaign vs illegal drugs’

Sen. Bong Go added. —Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go made clear that the Senate’s drug war probe should solely seek to uncover the “reality of campaign against illegal drugs” alongside its “benefits and consequences.”

In a statement, Go—who is a close friend and an ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte— said that the campaign against illegal drugs became the bedrock of the Duterte administration

“[This] delivered a strong message that has resonated deeply with many Filipinos, fueled by their escalating frustration over the worsening drug crisis,” he said.

READ: Total drug war deaths at 6,235 as of February 2022, says PDEA

“We only want the truth to come out. We want the people to know the whole truth. When the truth comes out, we can focus more on work and service. Especially now that there are many victims, suffering and in need of help,” he said.

The Senate on Monday launched its own investigation into the Philippine war on illegal drugs.

Led by Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel III, the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee focused on the Duterte administration’s brutal anti-drug campaign dubbed as Oplan Tokhang.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte himself was invited to the hearing. The probe was conducted in light of the House of Representatives’ continuing investigation into Duterte’s bloody anti-drug war.