APOLLO Quiboloy, leader of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) who claimed to have been appointed as the Son of God, said sorry to Baguio Mayor Benjie Magalong after tagging him as a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines – National People’s Party – National Democratic Front.
In a Sonshine Media News International TV broadcast last January 20, Quiboloy, the spiritual guide of former President Duterte, talked on a phone patch to say sorry to Magalong.
He first praised the former general for his courage and integrity.
“Hindi natin kalaban si Mayor Magalong,” he said.
“Maliwanag sa taumbayan na si Mayor Benjie Magalong ay isang magiting na mayor at kalaban ng CPP-NPA-NDF,” he added.
“Sa aking mga kasama, humihingi kami ng paumanhin kay Mayor Magalong,” he said.
In a later interview, he added,‘’Walang personalan dito, wag kayong umalma na personalan itong sa amin, maliwanag itong sa amin, wala kaming tinitirang personal na tao.’’
The apology came after Magalong was red-tagged by Quioloy, together with former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy and a certain Ka Eric, later identified as Jeffrey Celis, who lambasted the mayor and branded him as a “traitor” and “a person of no principles” among other unfounded accusations in their SMNI television programs.
This stemmed after Magalong was chosen by DILG Chief Benhur Abalos Jr. as a member of the five-man committee tasked to review the records of high-ranking police officials as part of the campaign to weed out those linked to illegal drugs.
The trio also urged Magalong to condemn the CPP-NPA as they claimed that failure to do so would prove his connection to the underground movement of the communist groups.
“To be accused that I have turned my back on my lifelong commitment against the CPP-NPA is a grave insult that sweeps aside my lengthy and loyal service to the Philippines,” Magalong said in a statement.
“In relation to the above-mentioned personalities who have acquired the habit of incessantly defaming people without an iota of evidence, be reminded that NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW,” he added.
Magalong threatened to file a slander case against the three, which then led to the apology of Quiboloy.
Ka Eric also later apologized to Magalong in his own program in SMNI.
Magalong now is more forgiving.
“Let us move on and join together in affirming our common commitment to free our country of communist terrorists, Islamist terrorists and drugs, a legacy that we need to pass on to the next generation,” the mayor said in his message to his fellow Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cavaliers last Jan. 22, 2023.
Magalong said there is no need to dwell on the unfounded tirade against his person saying time and energy are better spent on addressing the problems at hand.
“The challenges that we face versus the communist-terrorist groups are equally great and require the unwavering support and efforts of all our cavaliers and stakeholders. The passion continues and let us be proud and secure in knowing that our PMA family, the family that we chose, will always support us in our advocacy to promote authentic good governance which is, as a matter of personal opinion, the only way we can completely eradicate communism in our country,” he said.
Magalong received overwhelming support from the PMA, Philippine National Police and various sectors in the national, regional and city levels vouching for his character and belying the claims made by his detractors.
“In all the decisions that I have made in my public life, I have always been guided by the principles that I have learned from my Alma Mater, the PMA – Courage, Integrity and Loyalty,” he noted.
“After an unfortunate tirade these past few days against my character, I am grateful that the dust is beginning to settle and the healing process has started. Much of this is all because of the unwavering support of those who have stood by me, publicly and privately,” he said.
“Your testament of support only humbles me further and inspires me to fight the good fight,” he added. – with reports from Aileen Refuerzo.