Bong Go accuses media firms of sowing intrigue, blog of inciting revolt
February 19, 2018 | 6:15pm
In this Sept. 11, 2017 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte pays his last respects to Capt. Rommel Sandoval, whose body was about to be transported to Manila from Cagayan de Oro City. Sandoval was killed in action while rescuing a wounded soldier in Marawi City. PPD/Simeon Celi Jr., file
MANILA, Philippines — Christopher "Bong" Go, special assistant to the president, on Monday hit a news outlet and a blog for publishing "malicious" articles that he said encourage Filipinos to overthrow President Rodrigo Duterte.
During the Senate inquiry into the controversial procurement of Navy frigates, Duterte's longtime aide criticized a Rappler article titled "AFP, DNP assure Robredo: No support for revolutionary government" published November 8, 2017.
Go slammed Rappler for only publishing Robredo's side without asking for the statements of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Armed Forces chief of staff .
"It’s very malicious. They sowed intrigue among Lorenzana, Guerrero and the president so that boss would get angry at them," he said in Filipino, labelling the article "fake news."
The Rappler article was about the assurance given to Robredo by Lorenzo and Guerrero that they would not be supporting moves to declare a revolutionary government — an idea floated and then later disavowed by the chief executive.
Several news agencies, not just Rappler, also published articles on the Defense officials' reassurances.
Go also condemned a blog for posting an article that he said incites people to revolt.
He cited M.C.I. Wordpress' post titled "Secretary Delfin Lorenzana: the Man Who Could Lead EDSA III; He Betrayed Duterte Twice for the Country—a Marked Man of Malacañang Hitman."
It insinuated that Lorenzana "will take an appropriate action against the administration" in the future.
The blog is owned by a certain Lulu Mendez, who posted a disclaimer that "views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the truth" on the post that was cited by the presidential aide during the Senate hearing.
"They are calling for an EDSA 3. Do you think the soldiers will allow themselves to be fooled? They know that the president loves the military," Go said in Filipino.
Another blogger, Assistant Secretary Margaux "Mocha" Uson of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, has called for the declaration of a revolutionary government in the past but this call was in favor of the Duterte administration.
‘Frigate controversy meant to destroy Duterte’
Go insisted that he was dragged into the frigate controversy to bring the Duterte administration down after Rappler and Inquirer published reports of his alleged meddling in the procurement of frigates.
"Perhaps, this is really the intention to block the implementation of this important security program and ensure this administration will fail. But we will not allow them to win because the truth is on our side," he said.
Go also labeled as “malicious” the stories of Inquirer titled "Palace had special interest in Navy’s selection of weapons system supplier" and Rappler titled "Bong Go intervenes in P15.5 billion project to acquire Philippine warships."
"They hadn't even confirmed that I intervened, they already said 'intervened'," he said.
Go vowed that he would quit his post if it is proven that he had interfered in the frigate deal.
He urged the Senate to resume its hearing into the proliferation of fake news and invite Rappler and Inquirer to attend the inquiry.
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