MANILA, Philippines — The General Santos City Council has declared singer Leah Navarro “persona non grata” after insinuating that the recent Mindanao quakes were a “retribution.”

The General Santos City Office of the Vice Mayor told INQUIRER.net that the move was “unanimously approved by the council” on Tuesday during its regular session.

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The resolution, however, is still being finalized.

Screenshot of the tweet shows lawyer Theodore Te tweeting last October 31: “What’s with all the earthquakes in Mindanao?”

Navarro then replied, saying, “Retribution?”

The tweet has since been deleted.

“I apologized and deleted my tweet, but they just can’t find in their hearts to forgive my one-word reply in the form of a question,” Navarro said in a tweet Monday.

“Now they’ve twisted it into a declaration. Why not help Mindanao instead? Stop wasting time on me, I’m not a victim,” she added.

I apologized, deleted my tweet, but they just can’t find it in their hearts to forgive my one word reply in the form of a question. Now they’ve twisted it into a declaration. Why not help Mindanao instead? Stop wasting time on me, I’m not a victim. https://t.co/s5v5FN6pAt — Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) November 4, 2019

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Meanwhile, Te said: “I have deleted a tweet and my reply-explanation to that tweet, which though unintended, have caused offense, pain, and hurt to family and friends in Mindanao where I am from, proud to be from, and which I love,” Te said in a later tweet.

[1/2]: I have deleted a tweet and my reply-explanation to that tweet which, though unintended, have caused offense, pain, and hurt to family and friends in Mindanao where I am from, proud to be from, and which I love. … — Theodore Te (@TedTe) November 2, 2019

“Though my tweet was rhetorical, non-political, and personal, it invited hurtful replies from others whose tweets I cannot and do not control. I apologize for giving them that platform. To family and friends from Mindanao, please be assured of my prayers for your safety,” he added.

[2/2]…though my tweet was rhetorical, non-political, and personal, it invited hurtful replies from others whose tweets I cannot and do not control. I apologize for giving them that platform. To family and friends from Mindanao, please be assured of my prayers for your safety. — Theodore Te (@TedTe) November 2, 2019

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