Lapu-Lapu City mayor wants rapper declared 'persona non grata' over disrespectful song

Cebu City (CNN Philippines, February 8) — The mayor of Lapu-Lapu City wants to declare rapper Ez Mil persona non grata, saying the rapper falsely depicted the hero the city was named after in a song.

"This is a big insult to us Oponganons. He mocked the person that we consider a hero," Mayor Junard Chan said in an interview with reporters on Monday

Oponganons is the term used by residents of the city to refer to themselves.

Chan was irked by the line "Nanalo na ako nung una pa pinugutan si Lapu sa Mactan" from Mil's song "Panalo."

The mayor said the people of Lapu-Lapu were angered, especially since it came at a time when they would be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the victory at Mactan on April 27.

"He doesn't recognize Lapu-Lapu as a hero, he should have not created a song that will irk the people. He should not be looked up to by the youth," said Chan.

Chan is also exploring legal charges against the rapper.

In a video interview, Mil apologized for the lyric and said it was done for rhyming purposes.