Bong Go clarifies: I don’t know details in Barayuga slay

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Bong Go has clarified that he was not aware of any details regarding the killing of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga, adding that he supports the reopening of investigations of the incident.

In a statement on Tuesday, Go denied claims from ex-PCSO chairperson Anselmo Pinili that he knew information related to Barayuga’s death.

Go’s clarification came after the House of Representatives quad committee hearing on Friday, where Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop asked Pinili if they had information on the killing of Barayuga.  In response, Pinili said that he has relayed the possible motive and suspects behind the hit in a privileged conversation with former undersecretary Jesus Melchor Quitain and Senator Go.

“Nais ko ring klaruhin na wala akong alam sa sinasabing motibo sa kanyang pagkamatay o sa anumang impormasyon na mayroon si dating PCSO Chair Anselmo Simeon Pinili ukol dito,” Go said.

(I also want to clarify that I do not know anything about a motive to kill Barayuga or any information that Pinili has about this.)

According to Go, he was already a senator when the incident happened, adding that he was then focused on the Senate committee on health.

“Senador na ako noong panahon na iyon at nakatutok tayo sa pandemya bilang chair ng Senate committee on health. Tumutulong ako sa Duterte administration noon sa pagtugon sa mga suliranin ng bansa, ngunit kapag may inilalapit sa akin na mga isyu o report, palagi kong inire-refer ang mga iyon sa kaukulang opisina, ahensya o opisyal. Lalo na kung hindi ko naman trabahong aksyunan ang mga iyon dahil Senador ako na may sariling mandato,” he added.

(I was already a Senator when that happened. During that time, I was focused on the pandemic as chairperson of the Senate committee on health.  We helped the Duterte administration in responding to the problems of the country, but when issues are brought up to me, I always refer these to the proper office, agency, or official, especially if it is not my job to respond to it as I am a Senator with my own mandate.)

Go said he does not have the power to interfere in the investigation of the incident.

“Sa totoo lang po, hindi ko rin naman pwedeng pakialaman ang proseso ng ating kapulisan tungkol sa insidente. That is why I take exception sa mga ibinabalita sa media na may alam ako sa motibo ng pagkamatay ng isang tao at wala raw akong ginawa. Please get your facts straight. Doon lang sana tayo sa totoo at tama,” he said.

(Honestly, I cannot meddle with the processes involving our police officers regarding this incident.  That is why I take exception to news reports claiming that I know the motive regarding the killing of this person and that I did not do something.  Please get your facts straight.  Let’s stick to the truth and what is correct.)

“Kilala niyo po ako. Mas gusto kong magtrabaho at magserbisyo lamang sa kapwa ko Pilipino,” he added.

(You know me.  I prefer working and serving my fellow Filipinos.)

During the quad committee hearing, Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza tagged two former police colonels — National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner and former Davao Region CIDG Chief Edilberto Leonardo and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma — as behind Barayuga’s killing.

READ: Napolcom’s Leonardo, Garma tagged in killing of PCSO’s Barayuga

Mendoza said Leonardo contacted him about operating a high-value drug target in the person of Barayuga, a former police general and a member of the Philippine Military Academy Matikas Class of 1983.

According to Mendoza, he told Leonardo that he would think about the operation, but the Napolcom official said that this operation would bode well for the police officer’s career.

Mendoza said Leonardo sent him a synopsis that would show how Barayuga was supposedly involved in the illegal drug trade, but when the former said he would conduct his own study, Leonardo supposedly said that the hit already had Garma’s blessing.

When they were about to carry out the attack, Mendoza said that Leonardo informed them that Barayuga was inside the PCSO office in Mandaluyong, with Garma supposedly sending a photo of the late board secretary.

Both Leonardo and Garma have denied Mendoza’s claims.

Go believes it is only proper for justice to be given to Barayuga, in light of these new statements and testimonies coming out.

“Wine-welcome ko ang balak ng pambansang kapulisan na muling buksan ang imbestigasyon sa pagpatay sa dating opisyal ng PCSO na si Wesley Barayuga,” Go said.

(I welcome the plans of the national police to open once again the investigation on the killing of Barayuga.)

“Dapat lamang na mabigyan ng hustisya ang kanyang pamilya. Dapat nga noon pa ay nabigyan na ng hustisya iyan. Gayunpaman, mabuti na rin na maimbestigahan ‘yang muli ngayon para mapanagot ang dapat managot,” he added.

(It is only proper for his family to receive justice.  It should have been done a long time ago, but despite that, it’s good that the investigation resumed so that those behind it can be held accountable.)

Acop, also a former police general, said that the killing of Barayuga sparked tensions between graduates of the PNP Academy (PNPA) and the PMA alumni, as Leonardo and Garma come from the PNPA Class of 1996 and 1997, respectively.

Acop believes Barayuga was killed because he opposed Garma’s plans to expand the small-town lottery operation of PCSO, which Garma also denied.