Senatorial candidate and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s right-hand man Christopher “Bong” Go said today that he’s willing to literally bare all to prove that he does not have links to the drug trade.
In a statement sent to ABS-CBN News, he said that he would take his clothes off in public to prove his point — an odd proposition sparked by a controversial video.
Go was actually reacting to a YouTube video alleging that he is a leader in a drug syndicate. The video is the third episode in a series called Ang Totoong Narco List (The Real Narco List) that claims to reveal information that proves the alleged drug links of prominent figures in Duterte’s camp.
The latest episode alleges that Go has a dragon tattoo on his back that has the alphanumeric code “COATLIBRA-0018,” his alleged “code name.” He also allegedly uses the code name “TESOROGOLF-TSG002” and has multiple accounts in rural banks that allegedly transfer funds to his international accounts.
The YouTube channel’s first episode earlier alleged that First Son Paolo Duterte has a similar tattoo, reiterating opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes’ IV’s allegation that the tattoo is a drug syndicate symbol.
“For us, it’s simple. If he can show that he doesn’t have a tattoo on his back, we’ll keep our mouths shut,” the video’s narrator says about Go in Filipino.
While Paolo has repeatedly refused to show his back, Go said in his statement today that he’s willing to strip his clothes to prove his innocence.
“I challenge the accusers to reveal themselves. If they reveal themselves, I’m willing to take off my clothes in front of the public anytime, anywhere,” Go said in Filipino.
“If they can’t prove anything, they should apologize to the president and to the nation and admit what they did wrong.”
He also told drug dealers to stay away from him and Duterte. “We don’t make friends with durugista (drug users) and drug lords.”
The video series in question features an anonymous man wearing a dark hoodie who is allegedly a former member of a drug syndicate that operates in the Southern Luzon and Visayas regions. It looks pretty outlandish but its accusations are serious, moving the government to speak out against them.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Monday challenged those behind the Go video to file charges if their accusations are indeed true. He also called the video “pure and simple black propaganda.”
