Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 10) — Bong Go, the former aide of President Rodrigo Duterte, on Wednesday showed off his back to debunk he has a tattoo that is linked to a drug syndicate.
A series of videos came out this month linking Duterte’s family members and close aide to the illegal drug trade. In the third video, an individual identified as “Bikoy” claimed Go — allegedly one of the big bosses in a drug syndicate — owns four local bank accounts into which drug money is funneled. He alleged Go used the codename “TESOROGOLF-TSG002,” pointing out the full name of the former special assistant to the president is Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Tesoro Go.
“Bikoy,” who claimed to be a former record keeper of a drug syndicate operating in Southern Luzon and Visayas, said Go has a dragon tattoo on his back that bears the alphanumeric code “COATLIBRA-0018” from the drug transactions. The video also raised the issue that Go is using the drug money to fund his senatorial campaign.
Go dispelled accusations of the supposed tattoo.
“Alam mo hindi pa po ako kahit kailan nagkaroon ng tattoo sa buhay ko. Balat at nunal po marami po ako sa likod ko,” he said in a statement.
He also denied he is involved in the drug ring, stressing he will never get involved in illegal drugs considering that his former boss and still close ally – President Duterte – hates drugs.
“Alam mo desperado na yung mga nag-iimbento (niyan). Duda ko yung nagsasalita diyan na nambibintang, yan siguro yung totoong drug lord,” he said. “Pag pumasok ka sa droga, mas delikado—at maamoy ka na lumalapit ka sa amin dahil nasa droga ka— mas delikado pa po. Hindi kami nakikipag-kaibigan sa mga durugista at mga drug lords. Pag dumikit kayo sa amin delikado kayo.”
The video series entitled “Ang Totoong Narco List [The Real Narco List]” also tagged presidential son Paolo Duterte, who allegedly also has a dragon back tattoo, and Duterte’s minor daughter as involved in the drug syndicate.
Malacañang dismissed the allegations as “pure and simple black propaganda.”
LOOK: Former presidential aide Bong Go exposes his back to debunk that he has a tattoo linked to a drug syndicate https://t.co/JQXCNdUVPR
📷 Bong Go pic.twitter.com/vhjYBQrbjc
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) April 10, 2019
