Bong Go to Sulu residents: Be vigilant
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:18:30 +0000
President Rodrigo Duterte’s former top aide, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, has called on people living in Jolo, Sulu to maintain their sobriety and remain vigilant.
Go said President Duterte vowed to give justice to the victims of the bombing attack in Jolo on Sunday. At least 21 people were killed and more than a hundred injured in the attack on the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral.
The former Palace official accompanied the President when he visited the blast site on Monday.
“Tayo po ay maging mahinahon, saka maging vigilant po tayo sa ganitong pangyayari lalong lalo na po sa Mindanao,” Go said in a radio interview.
He noted that while Mindanao was still under martial law, there were no reports of abuses committed by the military and the police . Go said the visibility of the police and military helped maintain peace and order in the region.
“Subalit tuloy tuloy po ang threat ng terrorism sa buong Mindanao. Hinihiling ng gobyerno ang inyong kooperasyon at gagawin naman ng gobyerno ang narararapat para sa kapakanan ng nakararami (There is no end to the terror threat in Mindanao. The government needs your cooperation so that it can better implement measures for your safety),” added Go, who is running for senator in the 2019 elections.
Go bared that Duterte also reminded the people of Jolo that the attack should not be seen as a conflict between Muslims and Christians, but a brazen act of terrorism that everyone should unite against.
“[Ang sabi ng Pangulo] hindi po ito away ng mga taga Jolo — ibig sabihin hindi po ito away ng mga kristiyano at mga muslim. Wala ho kayong kinalaman dito, kayong mga taga Jolo, ito po ay terrorismo, ito po ay kagagawan ng terrorista at napakalawak po ng giyerang ito (This is not a quarrel between Christians and Muslims. This is terrorism, and this war is huge),” Go said.
He recalled that during the President’s conversation with the victims, majority of them wanted nothing but justice.
“Pangako niya po sa naging biktima, sa mga nasugatan, sa mga naputulan, sa mga nasawi, sabi niya po ay bibigyan ko kayo ng hustisya (He promised them, those who were injured, maimed, the families of those killed, he said he would give them justice),” Go said.
He added that Duterte also committed to help the victims.
In the case of military and police personnel who were either killed or wounded in the blast, Go said they would be taken care of under the Comprehensive Social Benefit Program of the Office of the President.
Civilian survivors and families of the victims can avail themselves of the livelihood programs and small business assistance being offered by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Go denounced the attack on the cathedral that happened while Mass was underway.
“There were many victims, Christians and Muslims. The President and I are really sad,” he said.
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