Senator Bong Go’s lies have finally caught up with him, and his blatant denials are an insult to the public’s intelligence. In an interview last October 17, 2024, he claimed that there was no reward system during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s notorious war on illegal drugs, and he flatly denied any involvement in handling money for this corrupt incentive scheme.

Yet, netizens have unearthed a video from late 2019 where Bong Go openly discussed the existence of a reward system, stating that police officers were handsomely rewarded with P1-2 million for every kill. His recent attempts to distance himself from the operational requirements of the drug war are laughable, especially considering that he previously framed the campaign as beneficial to the Filipino people.

The contradiction between Bong Go’s recent denials and his past statements highlights how difficult it has become for the Duterte administration to keep track of their lies. As netizens have pointed out, the internet never forgets. Bong Go may continue to deny his involvement, but he cannot ignore the mounting evidence against him.

Additionally, testimonies from previous Quad Committee hearings have established that a reward and quota system was used to incentivize police officers during the drug war. The funding for these rewards came from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), small-town lotteries (STLs), and intelligence funds. These funds were channeled from Bong Go to trusted police officials for further distribution.

Aside from Bong Go’s involvement in handling money for the drug war, he also serves as a crucial link between Duterte and Michael Yang, a former presidential economic adviser and drug lord. In an interview, dismissed Philippine National Police official Eduardo Acierto stated that no one can reach Duterte without first going through Bong Go. This claim is further supported by testimony from retired Police Colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma, who mentioned during the Quad Committee hearings that she also had to go through Bong Go to communicate with Duterte.

Yang managed to sustain a nationwide drug trade because he was protected by Duterte. Despite substantial evidence of his involvement in the illegal drug trade, Yang was never investigated or summoned by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Duterte publicly defended Yang multiple times, dismissing allegations against him as politically motivated or baseless. Acierto asserted that Bong Go is fully aware of these dealings relating to the illegal drug trade between Duterte and Yang, as everything related to Duterte must pass through him first.

However, as expected from Bong Go, he continues to deny the existence of the reward system and his involvement in the illegal drug trade. The Quad Committee hearings have revealed strong evidence that contradicts Bong Go’s denials. Not only is he contradicting himself, but former allies are also turning against him. Time is running out for these criminals, and soon all their lies will come crashing down. If there is one thing we can take from the Quad Committee hearings, it is that the entire Duterte administration is full of liars who will say anything to save whatever reputation they have left.

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