Go hits PDEA for linking him to POGO, drugs

SEN. Bong Go criticized the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for dragging his name into the controversy involving Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) and illegal drugs.

During the House quad committee inquiry Wednesday, the PDEA presented a matrix that supposedly linked Go to alleged drug personalities among government officials.

Go denied any connection, calling the accusations baseless, malicious, and a distraction from more pressing issues like public service and governance.

«We are angry with drugs. We are angry with drug lords,» Go said in Filipino.

«This has been rehashed again. PDEA is very irresponsible in what they say in their hearings; it is malicious and an illogical attempt to establish guilt by association,» he said.

PDEA's matrix identified Go as an acquaintance of Allan Lim, who is allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

Go addressed the malicious attempt to tarnish his reputation, saying, «I am the person everyone can approach. Now, picture-taking is the trend. Anyone can take a picture (for example) of you having dinner with me. You don't even ask who they are. There is no need to ask them one by one.»

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He slammed the repeated nature of the accusations, particularly their timing during election seasons.

«They will portray you negatively to make themselves look good. They will tarnish your reputation to appear clean. This cycle continues endlessly. After a year or even a month, the narrative resurfaces, claiming this is proof that you are associated with them. This cycle never ends,» he said.

He dismissed the allegations as distractions from more pressing issues such as peace, order, and the fight against illegal drugs.

During the quad comm hearing, Go said lawmakers castigated PDEA's rationale for including him in the matrix.

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Go urged government agencies like PDEA to ensure the credibility of their reports.