Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said he was never involved in former president Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

"Bilang (As the) Special Assistant of the President noon, I have no participation whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in the operational requirements of the war on drugs," he said in a statement on Saturday, Oct. 12.

"As stated in the Executive Order creating my position, my functions are limited to scheduling, appointments, and presidential engagements. My mandate does not include police operations. Kaya hindi ako nakikialam diyan (That's why I never involve myself there)," he added.

Go's remarks came after retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma revealed that Duterte spearheaded a cash reward-driven national drug war during the hearing of the House quad-committee (quad-comm) on Friday night, Oct. 11. 

Garma also mentioned Go's alleged involvement in the so-called expansion of this "Davao model" or the cash reward system employed for killing drug suspects. which would later be used on a national scale, based on her affidavit.

She mentioned that after a meeting with Duterte in his residence in Dona Luisa, Davao City, the former president requested that she "locate a Philippine National Police (PNP) officer or operative who is a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, indicating that he needed someone capable of implementing the war on drugs on a national scale, replicating the Davao model".

Garma later gave the name of her upperclassman Edilberto Leonardo, who was handling the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and was also a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

"Leonardo subsequently informed me that he had prepared a proposal routed through Bong Go, outlining the task force's operations, which would encompass Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao," she said.

Go dismissed Garma's shocking revelations as clear diversionary tactics to muddle the true issue she is facing – her participation in an alleged murder plot. 

Go added that while he's an advocate of truth, he would not allow his name to be disrespected.

"Malicious and unsubstantiated statements should have no place in any credible investigation," he said.

He added that he would "strongly encourage" the Senate to conduct an impartial investigation on these allegations.

On the other hand, Go emphasized that there was no reward system implemented during the previous administration in exchange for anyone's life.

"Walang kinalaman ang aking opisina sa operasyon at organisasyon ng kapulisan. Hindi rin ako mismo humahawak ng pera ng opisina ng Pangulo dahil hindi yan parte ng mga tungkulin ko noon," he said.

(My office has nothing to do with the operation and organization of the police. I also didn’t hold the money of the Office of the President since that wasn't part of my job then.)

Defending the former president, Go said that Duterte had "clearly" stated numerous times that his administration never sanctioned or tolerated any form of senseless killings.  

"Abogado si FPRRD na naging prosecutor pa (FPRRD is a lawyer and prosecutor). He knows and has always respected the rule of law," he said.

Go said that Duterte's campaign against criminality and illegal drugs led the latter to win the May 2016 presidential race.