Sen Bong Go denies reward system in drug war

Senator Bong Go denied on Saturday claims of a reward system in the war against illegal drugs during former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration and criticized critics who praised Duterte during his SONAs but now blame him.

Go stated there was no reward system implemented and emphasized that his office had no involvement with police operations or handling money from the President's office, despite retired police colonel Royina Garma implicating him in orchestrating cash rewards for extrajudicial killings (EJKs) of drug suspects.

Garma revealed in her affidavit submitted to the House Quad Committee that Duterte ordered her to help find a PNP officer to lead a national anti-drug task force replicating the 'Davao Model', rewarding police officers for killings, and implicated Go directly.

Go dismissed Garma's statements as 'malicious and unsubstantiated' and urged the Senate to conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations.

Former Senator Leila de Lima called for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Go due to Garma's revelations about his involvement in the drug war, emphasizing the significance of his role.