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MONday | SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 P3

TIT FOR TAT Go wants some US senators banned from PH over de Lima Senator Christopher Lawrence Go on Saturday said he will suggest to President an equal retaliatory action against US senators who want to ban Philippine government officials from their country for their involvement in the detention of Senator Leila de Lima. “I will suggest to President Duterte to ban American legislators from entering our country for interfering in our internal affairs. These senators think they know better than us in governing ourselves,” Go said. Significantly, the senator made the statement in his speech at the 118th Balangiga Day Commemoration in Balangiga, Eastern Samar on Saturday, September 28. The Balangiga encounter was a successful surprise attack carried out by Filipino fighters against US troops during the Philippine-American War. It is considered by historians as one of the greatest displays of the bravery of the Filipinos fighting for their freedom. Commenting on news that a US Senate panel had approved an amendment in an appropriations bill that will ban Philippine government officials involved in the detention of de Lima, Go had choice words for the US senators: “Nakakaloko kayo.” “I condemn this act by a handful US senators… It is an affront to our sovereignty and to our ability to govern ourselves. It unduly pressures our independent courts and disrespects the entire judicial process of the by questioning its competence,” he said. Go said the US senators who proposed the initiative must themselves also be banned from the Philippines. He also stressed that de Lima’s detention is in accordance with Philippine laws. “Senator Leila de Lima is being detained upon lawful order of an independent court after a careful and thorough determination of her case. Her detention, arising from her involvement in illegal drugs, was affirmed by no less than the Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said. Amid the move to interfere in the country’s sovereignty, Go vowed to fight for the rights of all Filipinos. “Katulad ni Pangulong Duterte, ipaglalaban ko ang ating mga karapatan. Kasama ng mga kapwa nating Pilipino, asahan niyong ipaglalaban ko ang dignidad at kapakanan ng mga kababayan ko,” he said. “Willing po kami na makulong para sa mga Pilipino, para ipaglaban ang inyong mga karapatan,” he added. Senator Christopher Lawrence Go rings one of the Balangiga bells during the marking of the 118th Balangiga Day in Eastern Samar.

BAGUIO CITY -- The country's activities. The case, however, of illegal drugs in an execu- top cop on Saturday said he is was later dismissed. tive session in the Senate last Albayalde ready to face confident about hurdling the He said retired Brigadier week. Senate investigation into the General Manuel Gaerlan, for- Earlier, Albayalde also said alleged involvement of police mer Deputy Regional Director he discussed rumors of his al- probe on 'drug recycling' officers in the recycling of for Operations (DRDO) in Cen- leged involvement in illegal seized illegal drugs. tral Luzon, is willing to testify drugs during his private meet- “Well number one is the as he was the one who led the ing with President Rodrigo accusation. The thing in Pam- investigation of the case. Duterte. panga was already dismissed “He volunteered himself Albayalde noted that the way back 2017. And I have been because he knows everything. cops being monitored are ei- saying many times before, it He was the head of the inves- ther involved in the recycling would be self-serving if I will tigation body and he admit- of illegal drugs or under the be the only one who will say ted that he was directed by payroll of illegal drugs syndi- something. I think somebody then General Raul Petrasanta cates operating in the country. has to explain this, not me, to lead the investigation,” he He said it is up to the Pres- not them, not anybody else. noted. ident to decide on the list of Siguro somebody who is not Albayalde is set to attend ninja cops submitted by the interested in this case,” Phil- a hearing of the Senate Blue PNP. ippine National Police (PNP) Ribbon Committee to probe “We leave that up to the chief General Oscar Albayalde into the irregularities on the President. Let's give him space, told reporters on the sidelines implementation of the Good we leave that to the wisdom of of the testimonial parade and Conduct Time Allowance the President. He said that he review in his honor at the (GCTA) and its connection will decide in due time,” the Philippine Military Academy to the proliferation of illegal PNP chief said. (PMA) in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio drugs on October 1. “The PNP's internal City. This comes after retired cleansing will be relentless Albayalde was referring Criminal Investigation and and will continue on until all to the incident in 2014 where Detection Group (CIDG) chief rogue cops especially those CONFIDENT. PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde says he is confident to face Senate investigation he was relieved as and now Baguio City Mayor involved in illegal drugs will into the alleged involvement of police officers in the recycling of seized illegal drugs set next week, provincial police director after identi- be weeded out from the ser- in an interview with reporters at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City on Saturday some of his men were found fied the cops and police offi- vice and charged in court,” he (September 27, 2019). PNA PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD CALIWAN to be involved in illegal drug cials involved in the recycling added. PNA