PDEA links Bong Go to drug trade allies; senator denies ties

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) released a new matrix linking allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte to individuals accused in the illegal drug trade.

Senator Bong Go, who was Duterte's special assistant, disputed his inclusion in the PDEA matrix and denied any ties with Allan Lin and Rose Nono Lin, despite Deputy Director for Operations Assistant Secretary Renato Gumban naming him as having ties with these individuals.

Gumban also mentioned Chinese businessman Michael Yang's connection to the Lin couple and their involvement in drug-related activities, including operating clandestine shabu laboratories.

During a quad committee hearing on Wednesday, PDEA was criticized for releasing the matrix without sufficient proof of Senator Bong Go’s direct links to illegal drugs or the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

House Representatives urged PDEA to complete its investigation before making such public accusations and noted that the title 'Pogo-Illegal Drug Connections' may be misleading.

The investigation stems from the discovery of a warehouse in Mexico, Pampanga, where P3.6 billion worth of overpriced pandemic supplies were stored, linking it to companies involved in illegal drug trade activities.