Senator Bong Go says 'police operations' not part of his mandate amid ICC warrant claims

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Thursday dismissed suggestions linking him to law enforcement operations, stressing that police actions and the implementation of arrest warrants are outside the scope of his duties as a lawmaker.

Go issued the statement amid reports claiming that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had allegedly issued a warrant against him as part of the investigation into the the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“Ipinagpapasa Diyos ko na lamang po ang lahat. Buong buhay ko, wala po akong nilabag na anumang batas ng tao o batas ng Diyos (I have surrendered to God everything. All my life, I have never broken any law made by men and by God),” Go said in a statement.

The senator maintained that policing matters have never been part of his responsibilities and expressed hope that the issue would not be used for political purposes.

“Police matters have never been part of my mandate. I hope and pray na hindi mapupulitika ang issue hinggil sa sinasabing ICC warrant daw laban sa akin (that the alleged ICC’s warrant against me won’t be politicized),” the senator added.

Go also vowed to remain focused on public service despite the controversy.

“Umasa po kayo na patuloy lang ako sa aking pagseserbisyo, dahil 'yan ang kailangan ngayon ng ating kapwa Pilipino. Hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalang ibinigay sa akin ng 27 milyong Pilipino (Please count on me to continue serving the public, because that is what our fellow Filipinos need right now. I will not waste the trust that 27 million Filipinos have placed in me),” he said.

His statement came after Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte claimed he had received information from a “highly reliable source” that warrants had allegedly been issued against Go and two former police officials.

However, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities have not received any official communication, directive, or documentation regarding the supposed ICC warrants.

“We rely on formal processes and verified information, not speculation or social media posts,” Nartatez had said.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag likewise said they had not received any communication from the ICC regarding such warrants.

Last month, the ICC confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the complainants in the ICC case, earlier said the tribunal was also expected to issue a warrant against Go, who has been identified as a co-conspirator in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

-Paraluman News