Bong Go takes off shirt to prove he has no tattoo linking him to drug syndicate

April 10, 2019

Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go took off his shirt on Wednesday to show that he has no tattoo on his back that supposedly linked him to a drug syndicate.

Go made the gesture during a press conference in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur where the Hugpong ng Pagbabago of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio held its campaign rally.

"You know, I never had any tattoo in my entire life. I have only birthmark and mole on my back," he said in a statement.

A video came out with certain "Bikoy," an alleged former drug syndicate member, accusing Go of having a tattoo that supposedly indicates his ties to a drug ring. Prior to that, a first video posted on social media, with the same narrator, tagged presidential son former Davao City Mayor Paolo Duterte of his alleged involvement to the illegal drug trade. Bikoy claimed that Paolo has a dragon tattoo, which supposedly would prove his link to a drug syndicate.

Paolo has refused to show his back as he denied any involvement in illegal drug trade. He accused opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV of being behind the video. Trillanes, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, has also denied that he had a hand on the video.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Go's gesture of showing his back sans tattoo only proved that the series of videos that came out was "black propaganda."

"There are people who believe it – hook line and sinker, and it’s now showing that it’s not true. It’s never been true," he said.

As to the other allegations of Bikoy, he said, "one who alleges must prove. They have to prove what they are saying, that's why we have been repeatedly saying it's black propaganda."

He also said that the opposition and critics of the President could "do their worst, we will do our best." Celerina Monte/DMS