Bong Go to intensify fight vs illegal drugs

When former special assistant to the president Christopher “Bong” Go recently visited fire victims in Pandacan, Manila, he encountered a boy whose parents were both imprisoned because of alleged use of illegal drugs.

Go said that President Duterte’s fight against illegal drugs will not stop and will not be compromised until the end of his term and even beyond. He said that there is still hope for change as there are rehabilitation centers for those seeking a second chance.

“The parents are in jail with the child left on his own. However, there is still time to change all this since we have rehab centers,” he said during a recent informal gathering of pedicab drivers in the streets of Pandacan.

He reminded citizens to stay away from illegal drugs as he cited how unfortunate it is for a child to lose a family because of the ill effects of these dangerous substances. “Drugs destroy the brain, drugs destroy families.”

Go mentioned that there are already available facilities offering free drug rehabilitation for those who wish to start a new life. He added that it is up to the drug users if they wish to change their lives for the better.

Based on experience from being the President’s aide and seeing the problem on the ground, Go said he plans to push for laws that will benefit Filipinos.

Go said he will push for the legislative agenda of the President and will bring the fight for real and genuine change to Congress: “We have to continue the changes initiated by the President.”

“We will scrutinize the laws, especially the idle ones. I’ve been with the executive branch for 20 years, I know which are truly being implemented, and those that have to be revised,” he said.

Go also said that among his priorities if elected to Congress will be to review existing legislative measures with the end goal of strengthening the fight against the illegal drug trade.

This includes the possibility of amending the controversial Juvenile Justice Act, which the President has repeatedly said is being abused by drug syndicates to recruit minors.

Go, like Duterte, has previously criticized the law.

As a private citizen he is committed to continue serving the President and the public, not as special assistant to the president, but as a special assistant to the people, offering help and assistance to every Filipino in need.