Filipinos should be judge on Duterte’s drug war impact — Bong Go
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has asserted that the assessment of the impact of former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs on Filipino lives should be made by Filipinos themselves, highlighting the enhanced public safety achieved during Duterte's administration.
This statement is in the context of ongoing discussions about proposals for the Philippines to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC). Go stressed that Filipinos know the real situation on the ground instead of what is perceived by the international community.
In an interview on Thursday, 30 November, during a break from the Bicameral Conference Committee on the General Appropriations Bill, Go emphasized the Filipino people's role in evaluating the effectiveness of Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs.
"Hayaan na po natin ang Pilipino ang humusga kung mayroon bang nagbago sa buhay ninyo sa panahon ni dating pangulong Duterte. Filipinos should be the judge, Filipinos should be judged only by fellow Filipinos before Philippine courts operating under Philippine laws," he stated.
Reflecting on the past, Go highlighted a significant reduction in crime and fear, particularly concerning drug-related offenses, under Duterte's leadership.
"Tanungin n'yo na lang po ang mamamayang Pilipino sa panahon po ni (dating) Pangulong Duterte. Dapat Pilipino po ang humusga, kung mas nakakalakad ba ang mga anak ninyo noong panahon ni (dating) Pangulong Duterte na hindi nasasaktan, hindi nababastos," he remarked.
"Kung noong unang panahon po, 'yung anak natin takot maglakad d'yan sa gabi dahil andoon po 'yung mga addict at mga kriminal. Noong panahon ni (dating) Pangulong Duterte, nakakalakad sila, nakaka-uwi sila na hindi sila nasasaktan," added Go.
Go consistently emphasized that he considers the proposal of rejoining ICC as an affront to a working Philippine justice system that is functioning independently to uphold justice and maintain the rule of law. This clearly shows that there is no need for external intervention.
"Dapat po'y Pilipino po ang humusga at ako po'y naniniwala sa ating judicial system. ICC has no right and business to meddle in our internal affairs where our courts remain fully operational," Go declared.