Bong Go apologizes for saying that Lapulapu was a Tausug
Senator Bong Go has apologized for wrongly claiming that the national hero Lapulapu was from Mindanao and a Tausug.
In a Facebook post, Go said that he only based the claim on a statement by Abraham Ibarani-Idjirani, who is from Sulu, and additional research and consultation done by his staff.
Go made the statement during his speech at the ceremonial event commemorating the 500 years of the Victory at Mactan.
“Ako po ay taus-pusong humihingi ng paumanhin kung iba ang dating ng aking naikwento,” said Go.
Go said he respects history and has no intention of changing the stories of our heroes.
“Nais kong klaruhin na buo ang aking respeto sa ating kasaysayan at wala akong intensyong baguhin ang paghanga at paniniwala natin sa buhay ng ating mga bayani. Handa po akong makinig at matuto base sa kaalaman ng mga eksperto sa larangan ng kasaysayan,” said Go.
Go, however, said that the National Historical Commission of the Philippines also states that there is no clear historical record stating where Lapulapu came from.
“BISAYA PUD KO UG GARBO NAKO AKONG PAGKABISAYA (I am also a Bisaya and I'm proud to be Bisaya),” said Go.
A number of historians and scholars spoke up after Go’s statement, saying that there is no clear historical account stating that Lapulapu came from Mindanao.
