MANILA (UPDATE) — Senator Bong Go, former close aide to then-President Rodrigo Duterte, denied accusations that the previous administration implemented a “reward system” tied to its war on drugs.
He also distanced himself from the controversial anti-narcotics campaign, stating he had no involvement in its execution.
“Walang reward system na iniimplementa noon kapalit ang buhay ng sinuman,” Go clarified in a statement.
This comes after retired police colonel Royina Garma implicated Duterte and Go, alleging they were behind a cash reward system for extrajudicial killings (EJKs) of drug suspects during Duterte’s presidency.
In her affidavit submitted to the House Quad Committee, Garma claimed Duterte instructed her to help find a Philippine National Police (PNP) officer to replicate the “Davao Model,” which incentivized police officers for killings.
Go, however, strongly refuted Garma’s accusations, saying he had no part in the operations of the drug war during his time as Special Assistant to the President from 2016 to 2018, before his senatorial campaign.
“Bilang Special Assistant to the President noon, I have no participation whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in the operational requirements of the war on drugs,” Go emphasized.
He added, “Walang kinalaman ang aking opisina sa operasyon at organisasyon ng kapulisan.
Hindi rin ako mismo humahawak ng pera ng opisina ng Pangulo dahil hindi yan parte ng mga tungkulin ko noon.”
Go described Garma’s claims as “malicious and unsubstantiated” and criticized the investigation, suggesting it was being politicized.
“Nakakalungkot na baliktad na ang panahon ngayon.
Hinahaluan ng pulitika ang mga imbestigasyon, at binabalewala na ang pinagsikapan ng nakaraang administrasyon,” he said, urging the Senate to conduct a fair and impartial parallel investigation.
Meanwhile, former Senator Leila de Lima, a vocal critic of Duterte’s drug war, argued that Garma’s revelations warranted the inclusion of Go in the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the anti-drug campaign.
De Lima said, “Yes, he must be included [in the ICC probe]. This is a very significant revelation from former Col. Garma…
The participation of Sen. Bong Go is quite essential, quite material, quite crucial also, so he must be investigated, exactly his role.”
Adding to the investigation, the House Quad Committee has summoned Go’s aide, known as “Muking,” who allegedly handled financial transactions related to the drug war.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the committee, stated that Muking played a key role in the release of funds after missions were completed.
During a recent hearing, another witness, Kerwin Espinosa, accused former PNP chief and now Senator Bato dela Rosa of coercing him to implicate Leila de Lima in the drug trade, which contributed to her extended detention.
Barbers dismissed claims that the investigation was targeting Duterte and his allies, stressing that the emergence of witnesses was beyond the committee’s control.
“May biglaang lumalabas na witnesses. Hindi ho namin kontrolado yan, sila ho ang pumupunta sa Kongreso,” Barbers said, clarifying that witnesses were required to submit affidavits and be accompanied by legal counsel to ensure truthfulness.