Press Release
October 12, 2019

Bong Go assists victims of fire in Sta. Ana, Manila; says President Duterte eager to know the truth about "ninja cop" issue

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go continues to aid fire victims in the country, this time visiting the affected families of two separate fire incidents at Brgy. 779, Sta. Ana, Manila, and Brgy. BF International, Las Piñas on Friday, October 11.

During his visit in Sta. Ana where 20 houses were destroyed by the fire, Go provided relief and financial assistance to the victims, and medical assistance to those who are in need.

The senator also said that he will provide school supplies and uniforms to affected children so they can immediately go back to school.

The senator was accompanied by representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide additional assistance to the residents.

Meanwhile, in an ambush interview, Go was asked by members of the press if he has already talked to President Rodrigo Duterte about last Wednesday's Senate hearing on the "ninja cop" controversy. The senator said that the President is reviewing the issue himself and is also eager to know the truth.

"Sa ngayon, nag-iimbestiga na ang Department of Justice (DOJ) at Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Maaaring kakausapin ni Pangulong Duterte si DILG Sec. Eduardo Año mamayang hapon, isa ito sa kanilang pag-uusapan," Go said.

He added, "Tignan natin 'yung ebidensya. Mismo ang Pangulo ay interesado at binabasa niya ang lahat ng resolusyon at timeline kung anong nangyari sa 2013. Alam n'ya po na ang taumbayan ay nag-aantay at interesado rin na malaman ang katotohanan."

The senator also said that the President wants to be fair to everybody regarding the issue.

"Ang Pangulo, hindi basta basta naniniwala. He wants to be fair to everybody," said Go.

"Kung sino ang sangkot, may ebidensya, ilabas niyo po. Kung kailangan i-dismiss, i-dismiss. Malapit na rin po ang retirement ni Gen. Albayalde. As a member of the Blue Ribbon committee sa Senado, interesado rin po ako na malaman ang katotohanan," he added.

Despite the controversy faced by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the senator emphasized that their full support for the agency remains.

"Full support pa rin po kami ni Pangulo sa ating kapulisan. Hindi dapat madamay ang mga matapat nating pulis dahil lamang sa kagagawan ng iilan na bulok," Go said, adding that Filipinos now respect the police.

Concerned about the welfare of trustworthy cops, Go said that the internal cleansing within the agency must continue.

"Lahat ng kaso, basta duty-connected, assist namin ang kapulisan. Kawawa pulis na gustong magtrabaho. Ipagpatuloy natin ang internal cleansing ng PNP," Go urged.

"Ngayon pinagkakatiwalaan natin ang pulis. Twenty years ago, dati ako natatakot kapag may checkpoint. Hiwalay natin ang bulok. Kaunti lang yun, eh. Marami po mga pulis na matitino," he added.

Asked for his suggestion on who must lead the PNP after Albayalde, Go said that such prerogative lies on the President.

"'Di ako magsa-suggest. Prerogative po 'yun ng Pangulo. Importante trust and confidence. At kung sino ang makakapag-unite at linis ng PNP."

Meanwhile, on the question of possible solutions for the transportation problems in Metro Manila, Go said that the construction of new transportation infrastructure and development of new cities could diminish the problem.

"May ginagawa ang government na infrastructure, (New Clark City), may bagong airport na itatayo sa Bulacan. Naniniwala ako na makatutulong ang mga ito para ma-decongest ang Metro Manila," said Go.

Asked if the President is still open to the idea of invoking emergency powers to resolve traffic problem in the metro, Go said that it might be a case of too little too late.

"Wala na. In two and a half years, 'di na kayang solusyunan. Dapat binigay 'yan 2016 pa. Maybe marami siya pwede gawin," Go said.

On the issues concerning the country's national penitentiary, Go said that he is in favor of adding more correctional facilities.

"Yes, in favor ako na dagdagan ang mga prison facilities natin. Sa katunayan, merong (panukala) sa Senado, magtatayo ng hiwalay na pasilidad para sa mga heinous crimes convicts," Go said, referring to Senate Bill (SB) No. 1055, or an An Act Establishing a Separate Facility for Prisoners Convicted of Heinous Crimes, which seeks to create maximum penal facilities in secured and remote locations to ensure that unwarranted outside contact will be prevented.

"Bahala kayo mga preso na loko-loko, magpakabait na kayo sa preso. At least, buhay kayo, libre pa pagkain," Go said.

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