Senator Christopher “Bong” Go insisted that it should be fellow Filipinos who must make an assessment on the impact of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs on the community and over-all public safety during his administration.

Go made this assertion amid ongoing discussions on the possibility of the Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Hayaan na po natin ang Pilipino ang humusga kung mayroon bang nagbago sa buhay ninyo sa panahon ni dating pangulong Duterte (Let’s allow Filipinos to judge if there were indeed changes in their lives during the time of former president Duterte),” Go said during a recent interview.

“Filipinos should be the judge, Filipinos should be judged only by fellow Filipinos before Philippine courts operating under Philippine laws,” he stated.

Go, an ally of the previous Duterte administration, recalled there was a significant reduction in crime and fear, particularly concerning drug-related offenses during the former president’s term.

“Kung noong unang panahon po, ‘yung anak natin takot maglakad d'yan sa gabi dahil andoon po ‘yung mga addict at mga kriminal. Noong panahon ni (dating) Pangulong Duterte, nakakalakad sila, nakaka-uwi sila na hindi sila nasasaktan (Before, our children are afraid to walk the streets at night because there were so many drug addicts and criminals outside. During former President Duterte’s time, they are free to walk and they can go home without being harmed),” added Go.

Nevertheless, Go said he respects fellow lawmakers in both the Senate and House of Representatives who have been insistent on calling for the Philippines to return to the fold of the ICC.

“Nirerespeto rin po natin ang kanilang (We respect their) resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the matter. Kami naman dito sa Senado, kung magkakaroon man ng pagdidinig o iba’t ibang resolution, nirerespeto rin po natin (In the Senate, we will respect any moves should there be a call for a hearing on the resolution),” Go said.

Thus, Go said he supports Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, for advocating for his right to be judged by Filipinos.

Dela Rosa is the chief implementer of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs during the latter’s term.

Go reiterated the importance of protecting Philippine sovereignty against foreign interference.

“Ibig sabihin, magtiwala tayo sa ating (This means we have to trust our) judicial system. Huwag nating hahayaan na ang banyaga po ang magsabi kung sino ang iimbestigahan, sino ang kakasuhan, sino ang hahatulan (Let’s not allow foreigners to dictate who should be investigated, who should be charged and who should be judged),” he emphasized.