FOR many years, the armed communist terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF deceived many of our indigenous brothers and sisters from the Bagobo-Klata tribe residing in Sitio Kahusayan, Calinan, Davao City.
One of them is Girlie Carillo.
“Honestly, I only visited them in Jolo in 2015. I wanted to see what the NPA looked like. When I got there, they indoctrinated me and wouldn’t let me go home. They said I could go home after a week or 15 days. But it took longer because they assigned me as a medic in our group,” said Girlie Carillo, Bagobo-Klata Tribe.
Girlie’s supposed 15-day stay in the NPA camp extended to three years.
Benjie Diarog comes from a well-known family in the Bagobo-Klata Sitio Kahusayan.
Many members of the Diarog family were part of the armed struggle of the New People’s Army.
But when asked if the NPA helped his family and tribe, this was his response:
“We were part of the NPA before. We saw that there was no change. The NPA was just using us. They were just cooking us in our own oil,” stated Benjamin Diarog, Bagobo-Klata Tribe.
In fact, the CPP-NPA-NDF planted many negative thoughts about Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy in the minds of the Bagobo-Klata tribe.
“They said Pastor was not a good person. Our neighbors were afraid of the people living here because they said the residents were fierce,” added Carillo.
“During that time, we were still part of the NPA struggle. We thought Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy was bad in the eyes of us indigenous people,” added Diarog.
The perception of the Bagobo-Klata tribe changed when they had the chance to know Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy better, which eventually led to a healing and reconciliation ritual.
The ceremony took place on June 5, 2022, symbolizing unity. It also marked the beginning of the IP community’s freedom from the deceptive communist terrorist group, CPP-NPA-NDF.
Meanwhile, the IP community awarded the title of Datu Pumulingan to Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy on May 6, 2023.
The honorary title was given to Pastor Apollo by the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Conference for Peace and Development.
Pastor Apollo is close to our indigenous brothers and sisters because they were part of his spiritual journey when he was called by the Almighty Father and underwent rigorous training in the mountains of Kitbog and Tamayong.
Over the past few years, who is Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy to the IP community?
“For me, I see Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy as a good person. He is kind.”
“Based on what I witnessed in meetings, whenever we faced [Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy], he was good, and what I’m saying is not made up. Pastor Apollo is good to our tribe. He has helped many tribes,” said Diarog.
“Since becoming a member, I learned that the issues raised against us before were not true and were just slander against Pastor. When I became a member of Pastor’s, I saw his goodness. He is a good person, and his intentions are not bad but for the salvation of souls. His mission is truly for the souls. I wonder about the issues thrown at Pastor Apollo, that he never had his own family,” stated Lita Lambac, Purok Leader, Bagobo-Klata Tribe.
Meanwhile, Rene Suhat, a member of the Bagobo-Klata who has been with Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy on Glory Mountain for almost a decade, insists that the accusations against the good pastor are baseless.
“In my opinion, Pastor treats the people here well. When it comes to children, he is like a father to them. Likewise, with women, he is like both a mother and father in teaching them until they grow. So, all the bad things they say about Pastor, for me, are not true. They are just slandering Pastor because, in the eight years I have been with him, I have never seen Pastor teaching us to steal, kill, or take over. His mission is to teach righteousness,” said Rene Suhat, Bagobo-Klata Tribe.
Even Henry Ombol, who has been with Pastor on Glory Mountain for many years and has been persuaded many times to leave the good pastor’s side because attacks on his compounds would happen someday, why didn’t he leave Pastor Apollo?
“That’s why I wouldn’t just leave him [Pastor Apollo] because I first understood salvation – the salvation of my soul. That’s my stand. Pastor Apollo first opened my understanding, and I got to know the Father, the Son – the Appointed Son. So, I can say that I am ready to stake my life on the Father. That’s my prayer every day because I got to know Pastor Apollo,” stated Henry Ombol, Bagobo-Klata Tribe.
The goodness of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy or Datu Pumulingan is forever etched in the hearts and minds of the indigenous people from the Bagobo-Klata tribe.
No accusations and slander by those who wish to bring down Pastor Apollo and the Kingdom Nation will change how they view the good pastor.
The goodness and love they see from Pastor Apollo prevail above all.
