‘Never ako nanutok ng baril; may… binabayaran… na magkalat (ng paninira)’ – Baguio City Mayor Magalong

Baguio City, Philippines - Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who is widely recognized for his strong anti-corruption stance and promoting good governance, has strongly denied allegations that he threatened someone with a gun and secretly owns major businesses in Baguio City.

According to media reports, a local businessman accused Magalong of pointing a gun at him; however, Magalong refuted the claim, dismissing it as a mere political attack ahead of the upcoming elections.

The mayor relayed in his interview with the Regional News Group Luzon that those are lies, advising the person accusing him to tell the truth instead.

“Never ako nanutok ng baril. Sabi ko nga, I never transacted business with your family. I do not know your father. I don’t even know your family. You have to tell the truth,” Magalong stated, emphasizing that the accusations are baseless.

Although the mayor acknowledged possessing a firearm, he clarified that it is just for his own safety because of threats to his life, which stemmed from his anti-corruption efforts.

Aside from said issue, Magalong also alleged that certain individuals are being paid to spread false information about him. According to him, someone is hiring taxi drivers and senior citizens in the city just to spread lies against him. One of those he mentioned is that he owns major businesses in the city.

“May mga hinire kasi na mga taxi drivers. Binabayaran nila araw-araw para magkalat. Di lang yon, pati mga senior citizens para magkalat lang na pag-aari ko daw yong Parkway…Pag-aari ko yong Good Taste (restaurant) at kung ano-ano pa…yumayaman daw ako dito,” he shared.

The mayor believes that these negative actions aim to discredit him, but despite the false information being thrown at him, Magalong still reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption, no matter what the consequences are.

"Pero hindi kami hihinto. Lalaban kami rito. Galing naman ako sa giyera. I’m willing to die for this country," he added.

Regarding the threat to the mayor’s life, the Baguio City Police Office assured they are doing their part to protect Magalong.