Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed his dismay over SMNI media owner Apollo Quiboloy, former anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy, and former rebel Jeffrey 'Ka Eric' Celis, for red-tagging him on a television program.
In a statement on Monday, Magalong said the three individuals labeled him as a "traitor" and "a person of no principles" and accused him of conspiring with the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
"This tirade against me is unfounded and baseless and has subjected my person to needless and undeserved condemnation," he stressed.
Magalong said that to be accused of betraying the communist rebels was a "grave insult that sweeps" his lengthy and loyal service to the government.
He mentioned that as a retired police officer, he has experienced fighting the CPP-NPA in Luzon and Mindanao.
Magalong also cited that he had served as the chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council and vice chairman of the Cordillera Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).
As the current Baguio Mayor, he said he is doing the best of his ability and competence for the city and its constituents.
"If my actions as head of local government are under question, let due process be sternly observed. By all means, take the necessary steps that I can be sanctioned, in accordance with procedures in place, without having to be publicly scorned over a non-issue," Magalong said.
The Baguio Mayor reminded the three personalities, who he said have acquired a habit of incessantly defaming people without evidence, that no one is above the law.
