Senator Bong Go attended the Senate hearing on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, but deemed the probe “too late” since Duterte was already detained in The Hague, Netherlands.
Go expressed respect for the initiative of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Senator Imee Marcos, but considered the probe useless given Duterte’s detention by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Although I respect this hearing, I express my frustration that it seems too late, I have no issue with daily hearings, but can you bring back Tatay Digong?” Go said.
Go challenged the committee, hoping that if authorities could bring Duterte to The Hague in under a day, they could also bring him back as soon as possible.
The senator also urged Philippine National Police Spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo to be truthful.
This stemmed from allegations that police refused to let a doctor accompany Duterte during his arrest.
When Go asked Fajardo about the arrest’s details, she allegedly ignored him and walked away.
“We loved and respected you, and former President Duterte deserves respect too,” Go said.
Aside from Fajardo, other officials attending the hearing include: Police Chief Director General Rommel Francisco Marbil, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Chief General Nicholas Torre III, Interior and Local Government secretary Jonvic Remulla among others.
(Senate of the Philippines’ screenshot)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.