Armed struggle won’t lead to positive change

SENATOR CHRISTOPHER “Bong” Go has reminded those affiliated with the Makabayan bloc that they are free to criticize the government but toppling it is another thing.   

After he personally led on Monday the distribution of assistance to TODA members in Quezon City, Go said the group can exercise its freedom of speech, including airing their grievances against the government.

However, he strongly said that bringing the government down is a different issue altogether.

“Personally, ‘wag lang po (but not) to topple the government, you are free to criticize the government but not to topple the government,” Go said in an ambush interview.

He said the nation has democratically elected President Rodrigo Duterte as the head of the country so bringing down the government is an attack against the will of the people.

“Pinili ng tao ang gobyerno, pinili si Pangulong Duterte. Galangin po ninyo ito ( The people chose the government, chose President Duterte. Let’s respect it),” he said.

Several groups, including the President, have identified the Makabayan bloc as a front organization for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

President Duterte also expressed concern that many students have been recruited by the CPP-NPA, especially in universities.

Go, however, noted that his primary concern is the welfare and lives of Filipinos.

“Ako ay naniniwala na sana po walang magbuwis ng buhay. Importante po sa akin ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino (I believe there should be no bloodshed. The life of every Filipino is important to me),” Go said.

Go also appealed to the groups to refrain from using violence, saying “I’m appealing sa kanila na ‘wag nang idaan sa armed struggle (to them not to use armed struggle).”

“Ang gusto nila (They would like) to topple the present government. ‘Yun po ang laging nagiging isyu. May gobyerno, gusto nila pabagsakin. Respetuhin niyo po ang termino ng ating Pangulo, pinili po sya ng taumbayan kaya nga meron tayong eleksyon (That’s the issue. There’s a government and they would like to topple it. Let’s respect the term of our President. He’s been chosen by the people that’s why we have elections). This is democracy,” he said.