Bong Go, Andanar visit wakes of slain OFW in Korea, soldier

Senatorial blurb?

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Was Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, special assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte, starting to wedge himself into the limelight for senator-wannabes or merely representing the president in condoling with the families of the overseas Filipino worker slain in Korea, and of the soldier killed by the NPA rebels in Negros Occidental?

Go, considered the most trusted man of President Duterte, visited two wakes in Cabatuan town of Iloilo on May 27. Tarpaulins with Go's photo and messages — "SaluBONG Para Sa PagbabaGO," and “Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, Ang Senador sang mga Ilonggo" — were strategically placed on areas leading to the wake of Michael Angelo Claveria.

Claveria was the OFW who was believed to have been killed by fellow Filipinos in South Korea. His skeletal remains were found last April in a water purifier facility, after more than two years since he last communicated with his family.

During his visit in Cabatuan, Go was accompanied by Presidential Communications and Operations Secretary Martin Andanar, who was also wearing a t-shirt with words "Go atin sa 2019."

Also with them was Mayor Jose Espinosa III of Iloilo City. There were also some local residents identifying themselves as local coordinators for Bong Go, with some of them wearing white T-shirts "IlongGo"? Go.

When he saw residents taking pictures of him, Go asked for their cameras and requested that he be allowed to take their selfies. In an ambush interview, his assistant asked reporters to only ask issues related to the slain OFW.

After the wake if Claveria, Go and Andanar proceeded to the wake of Private First Class (PFC) Vicente Marcon at Barangay Ingas, also in Cabatuan. Marcon was a Philippine Army soldier who died in action during an encounter with NPA rebels in Negros Occidental.

After his Cabatuan visits, Go and Andanar proceeded to the DepEd's Jubilee Hall in Iloilo City, where he met with Office of the President-assisted patient Melissa Castroverde and fire victims SPO2 Richard Gerafusco and Salvador Gymmy Avelino.

As per advised by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Go had a private meeting at the same venue, where he reportedly met with barangay captains of Iloilo City.

He then proceeded to watch the PBA All-Star game at the nearby University of San Agustin gymnasium. (FREEMAN)