Go served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the PSOSEC Graduation Ceremony held on Friday, May 8, at Apo View Hotel in Davao City. The event was held upon the invitation of Jail Superintendent Castle H. Masip, President of PSOSEC Class 2025-03 "Sararo," and Police Colonel Ronald L. Lao.
The graduating class included 32 graduates composed of Police Commissioned Officers from the tri-bureaus of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), who completed the mandatory career course at the National Police College-Davao.
Addressing the graduates, Go, Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Peace and Order, opened his message by congratulating PSOSEC Class 2025-03 and recognizing the significance of the ceremony in their professional growth as public safety officers.
"Alam niyo, napakaimportante po ng panahon ngayon itong unity. Sa gulo po ng mundo ngayon, gulo sa Middle East at gulo sa politika dito sa Pilipinas. Alam niyo, huwag na po kayong makialam sa politika, gawin niyo lang po ang inyong trabaho. Just do what is right. Unahin niyo ang interes ng Pilipino, tao, at bayan," he said.
"Hindi madali ang inyong trabaho. Araw-araw, nakataya ang inyong buhay upang masiguro ang kapayapaan, kaayusan, at kaligtasan ng publiko para sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino," he added.
Go also recalled the salary increase for military and uniformed personnel under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018. He said the measure recognized the heavy responsibilities and risks carried by those in uniform.
"Noong administrasyon ni former Presidente Rodrigo Duterte noong 2018, dinoble natin ang suweldo ng entry-level na mga pulis, sundalo, at iba pang uniformed personnel tulad ng (Philippine) Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Ginawa ito bilang pagkilala sa bigat ng inyong responsibilidad at sa panganib na kaakibat ng inyong paglilingkod," Go said.
Go has been a steadfast advocate for the welfare of uniformed personnel, consistently supporting reforms that recognize their service and improve their working conditions. For him, support for uniformed personnel also means looking after their families, especially the education and future of their children. He said the sacrifices of public safety officers must be met with concrete measures that protect their welfare and that of their loved ones.
"Dahil sa inyong sakripisyo na handa ninyong ibigay kahit ang inyong buhay para sa bansa, nais din nating maprotektahan ang kapakanan ng inyong mga mahal sa buhay, especially the education and future of your children," Go said.
The senator then cited legislative measures that he supported for military and uniformed personnel, including legal assistance, institutional modernization, access to service, and educational support for the families of those killed in action.
"Kasama rin tayo bilang principal author at co-sponsor ng Republic Act No. 12177 o ang Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act. I also principally authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, or the BFP Modernization Act, to provide upgraded equipment and training to the BFP," Go said.
Republic Act No. 12177, or the Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act, institutionalizes free legal aid for military and uniformed personnel facing service-related charges. Go is the principal author and co-sponsor of the measure.
Go also principally authored and co-sponsored RA 11589, or the BFP Modernization Act, which seeks to upgrade the equipment, facilities, and training of the BFP.
He also mentioned his role in Republic Act No. 11549, which lowered the height requirement for the PNP, as well as his support for Republic Act No. 11200, which amended the rank classification system of the PNP.
Go co-authored RA 11549, which reduced the height requirements for applicants to the PNP, making the police service more accessible to aspiring law enforcers nationwide.
Go also pointed to reforms intended to make PNP operations and leadership more organized.
"Sinuportahan din natin ang Republic Act No. 11200 na nag-ayos sa rank classification ng PNP upang mas maging malinaw at organisado ang operasyon at pamumuno ng nasabing institusyon," he said.
In addition, he supported RA 11200, which reformed the PNP's rank classification system by aligning it with military ranks to promote operational clarity and efficiency.
Continuing his discussion on reforms for uniformed services, Go cited Senate Bill No. 682, or the Philippine Coast Guard Modernization Bill, and Senate Bill No. 684, or the Scholarship for Children of Military and Uniformed Personnel Killed-in-Action bill.
Building on these legislative efforts, Go filed several proposals in the 20th Congress. SBN 682 proposes a ten-year modernization program to upgrade the equipment, infrastructure, and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). SBN 684, meanwhile, seeks to provide educational assistance to the dependents of military and uniformed personnel killed in action.
Go later reminded the graduates that public safety officers carry a major responsibility, particularly in challenging times.
"Mga kasama, napakalaki ng inyong papel bilang public safety officers lalo na sa mga panahong puno ng hamon. Kailangan natin ng mga lider na may integridad, malasakit, at tunay na puso para sa serbisyo publiko," Go said.
"Patuloy sana nating dalhin ang mga aral at karanasang nakuha ninyo mula sa kursong ito, and also to inspire trust and confidence among our people," he said.
During the ceremony, Go gave a special token to the top 1 graduate of the class, PLTCOL John Hogyawon Gano, in recognition of his outstanding performance. He also provided tokens to the rest of the graduating class.
Go closed his speech by urging the graduates to continue serving with honesty, order, and compassion, reminding them that many Filipinos rely on the work of public safety officers.
"At habang tayo ay nagpapatuloy sa ating serbisyo, tandaan ninyo na maraming Pilipino ang umaasa sa ating dedikasyon at malasakit. Kaya patuloy lang tayong magserbisyo nang tapat, maayos, at may puso para sa ating kapwa," Go said.
"Muli, congratulations sa PSOSEC Class 2025-03! Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!" Go concluded.