I have body bags for drug addicts, fake news peddlers –Bong Go

Senator Bong Go said on Easter Sunday that he had extra body bags for those who may need them, even for drug addicts and fake news peddlers.

Go made the remark as he responded to an inquiry from the media regarding the request of the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) to his office for help to acquire cadaver bags for deceased coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

In a Saturday Instagram post, GMA News' Arnold Clavio posted the request of Dr. Nerissa Crystal Songcuan, the chief resident of EAMC's Department of Pathology and Laboratories, to Go's office to help them acquire at least 50 cadaver bags.

Songcuan said that the hospital was facing an "unexpected increase" of COVID-19 deaths.

Go, in a message to reporters, said he has already forwarded the letter to those who could help the EAMC with its request.

"Nakatanggap ako [ng] sulat kahapon. Nirefer ko lang sa gusto tumulong, ginawan ng paraan, nabigyan [ng] body bag," he said.

"Tulong lang tayo, kung ano man hingin na tulong basta kaya lang," he added.

Then Go went on to add that he had extra body bags, but not necessarily for COVID-19 deaths.

"Sino kelangan pa extra? Para sa drug addict or nagpapakalat [ng] fake news, meron pa ako," said the seantor.

The Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, which granted President Rodrigo Duterte special authority to address the COVID-19 emergency, penalizes individuals or groups for creating, perpetuating, or spreading false information regarding the crisis on social media and other platforms.

It sets a penalty of two months in jail or a fine of P10,000 to P1 million, or both, at the discretion of the court.

As of Saturday, there are a total of 4,648 reported cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, with 297  deaths and 197 recoveries. — DVM, GMA News