Like President Rodrigo Duterte, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go today said death threats would not stop him from doing his job of delivering services directly to the people.
In an interview over the radio, SAP Go confirmed that on Thursday while on the way to the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, the President received a report about a supposed assassination attempt against him.
Despite this, SAP Go said Mr. Duterte insisted on proceeding with the planned trip to provide assistance to the 400 families who lost their homes in a fire in Barangay Labuan last July 22.
“Alam nyo naman ang ating Pangulo, hindi yan takot mamatay,” said Go.
(You know our President; he’s not afraid to die.)
” Sinabi niya sa akin nasa helicopter pa kami: Sige, subukan nila. Anong sabi niya? Handa rin naman daw siya. Alam ninyo ang Pangulo pag pinasok niya yang trabaho na ‘yan, handa ‘yang mamatay,” he added.
(While we were in the helicopter, he told me: Let them try. What did he say? He said he is ready. You know when the President took on his job he is ready to die.)
However, Go said it was not actually the first time the President received a death threat. He said that they regularly receive information of similar threats in practically all the places they have visited.
“Parating sinasabi ng Pangulo kung panahon ko na, panahon ko na. So hindi po kami takot harapin yung trabaho namin,” said Go.
(The President always says: if it’s my time to go, it’s my time. So, we are not afraid to do our job.)
Despite the reported threat in Zamboanga, Sibugay, SAP Go said he would go today with Mr. Duterte to provide assistance to the victims of the massive fire that razed Jolo, Sulu and left an estimated 30,000 people homeless.
Meanwhile, SAP Go thanked his supporters for heeding his appeal to use funds intended for posters or banners urging him to run for the Senate to instead help victims of calamities such as fire, flood and typhoon.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng supporters. At sana po, ipagpatuloy ninyo nalang na tumulong po sa mga naging biktima,” SAP Go said.
(I thank all my supporters. And I hope you will continue giving assistance to the victims,” SAP Go said.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Duterte, who is fondly called “Tatay Digong” cited Go’s role in delivering assistance to the needy, particularly in the establishment of Malasakit Centers, a one-stop-shop to help indigent patients.
By helping Mr. Duterte deliver needed assistance to the people, SAP Go also became known as “Kuya Bong.” (OSAP Media)
