MANILA – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the need to continue the government’s fight against illegal drugs, citing the gains of the Duterte administration so far to tackle the problem.

Go said if the fight against illegal drugs continues, other issues such as criminality and corruption may also be addressed.

“Kapag nako-contain mo ‘yung illegal drugs, kasama na diyan ‘yung criminality at ‘yung korapsyon. ‘Pag lumala ‘yung drugs, babalik ‘yung criminality, babalik ‘yung korapsyon kasi makokorap na po ‘yung tao (If illegal drugs are contained, criminality and corruption will also be addressed. If illegal drugs worsen, criminality and corruption will resurrect because people have corrupted mind),” Go said in an ambush interview after his monitoring visit of the Malasakit Center and turnover of check to the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City on May 28.

Go also highlighted Duterte’s commitment to fighting illegal drugs throughout his term as president and even when he was still the mayor of Davao City.

“Malaki po ang maiaambag ni Pangulo, hindi ko lang po masasagot kung tatanggapin niya (The President can make a big contribution, I just don’t know if he will accept) as drug czar or adviser or consultant,” Go said.

“Ngunit, based on experience, as Mayor pa noon hanggang naging Presidente, kabisado na po niya ang trabaho – itong labanan ang iligal na droga (But based on experience as mayor then as president, he know well the job – the fight against illegal drugs),” he added.

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he is open to appointing Duterte as the government’s anti-drug czar, but that he has not yet offered the position to the outgoing president.

Meanwhile, Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Michel Kristian Ablan said the Palace sees no problem with President Duterte leading the anti-narcotics campaign. However, the final decision, he said, will be made by Duterte, who has stated that he intends to retire from politics after his presidency.

In a recent address, Duterte said he would continue to play a critical role in the war against illegal drugs even after his term ends to maintain peace and order in the country.

He also urged Marcos to safeguard the country’s youth from the threat of illegal drugs.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Real Numbers report showed that as of April 30, 2022, a total of 15,096 high-value targets had been captured since the drug war began in July 2016. Authorities have also seized illegal drugs worth PHP89.29 billion across the country, including PHP76.17 billion in shabu.

Go said naming Duterte as drug czar would be a major boost for the incoming administration, given the President’s experience and success in combating illegal drugs.

“Kung ako po ang susunod na administrasyon, malaking bagay po ‘yon na kukunin niyo po ang opinyon o tulong ng magiging dating Presidente Rodrigo Duterte sa kampanya laban sa iligal na droga (If I were the next administration, it is important to get opinion and help of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte in his campaign against illegal drugs),” he said.

“Tingnan niyo po ngayon, nakakalakad na ang ating mga anak na safe at hindi nababastos. Dati takot ang tao sa mga durugista, ngayon ang durugista ang dapat matakot (Now, our children can walk safely and without being harassed. Before, people are afraid of drug addicts, not drug addicts should be afraid),” he added. (PR)