Filipino pastor and church leader of the church called the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Apollo C. Quiboloy clarified that his statement against Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong regarding his alleged involvement in the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) was not personal.
Quiboloy’s statement came after Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong was linked to the communist terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF.
‘’Walang personalan dito, wag kayong umalma na personalan itong sa amin, maliwanag itong sa amin, wala kaming tinitirang personal na tao,’’ Quiboloy told SMNI News over the phone.
Quiboloy said he only wanted to inform the public about the dangers of the communist group and that he wasn’t directly attacking Magalong.
On the other hand, Mayor Magalong expressed disapproval with anchors of the Laban Kasama ang Bayan program, Lorraine Badoy, and Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz who called him a “traitor and person without principles.”
According to Magalong, this is damaging to his reputation as a public servant.
The accusation came after Magalong defended the leftist group from criticism.
Quiboloy stated, ‘’I apologize to Mayor Magalong kung nasaktan siya sa terminology ko na traydor, hindi po yun personal, ginagalang na Mayor ng Baguio City…Alam mo maniniwala akong aktibista kayo kung walang NPA at kung merong NPA naman, ikondena ninyo ang ginagawa nila to the highest heaven you must condemn them because you are government officials. Paano kami makapag-trust sa inyo, na kayo ay parang sa pula at sa puti. Kapag pinuna namin kayo, hindi naman personal ‘yon, pagmamahal ‘yan sa bayan.”
Quiboloy said he loves Baguio and acknowledged the problems the city has had with leftists.
‘’You took oath as a Mayor to defend our country to defend your city against the atrocities of the CPP-NPA-NDF at alam ko marami silang ginawang atrocities ginawa dyan sa Baguio City. Mahal natin ang syudad na yan.,” he furthered.”
Netizens were surprised that Quiboloy issued an apology, something he doesn’t do often.
Quiboloy blinked. He apologized to Mayor Benjie Magalong for the red-tagging that Lorraine Badoy and Ka Eric did to the Mayor. Ergo, the two are purveyors of fake news?
— Miss Maggie (@MiaMagdalena) January 23, 2023
Mayor Benjamin Magalong has more integrity in his little finger than Badoy and Quiboloy can ever have in their entire bodies. https://t.co/spkilCEVHK
— Jarren Repedro (@JarrenRepedro) January 16, 2023
apologies are fitting. but to shoot blindly a person in full public view without conducting due diligence is irresponsible. ganyan na ang pilipinas ngayon? courtesy resignation dahil walang mahuli sa pnp for illegal drugs? quiboloy assailing character on supposition. very low.
— Jo el La chem (@samakatuwid1977) January 23, 2023
https://twitter.com/joshquising/status/1617473311642091521?s=20&t=vb2RaanBLy-gmj7PxUGYVQ
Mas naniniwala namn ako kay mayor magalong na PMA alumni. Si quiboloy ba saan graduate yan? Hakhakhak
— barang (@barang4hire) January 17, 2023
Pastor Quiboloy concluded, “Kung nandyan kayo at mahina ang loob nyo para lumaban sa CPP-NPA-NDF na ito, please wag na kayong tumakbo sa susunod. Para sa akin wala kayong values….ang inaalala lang ninyo ay sarili ninyo, hindi ang bayan, kung mahal mo ang bayan you are willing to sacrifice your career for the nation.”