Benjamin "Benjie" Bañez Magalong (born December 15, 1960) is a Filipino politician and retired police officer serving as the mayor of Baguio since 2019.

After his reinstatement, he was assigned to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Quezon City police office.

Magalong published the investigation report on March 13, 2015, which implicated PNP chief Alan Purisima and President Benigno Aquino III of misconduct leading to the deaths of 44 SAF troopers.

In 2019, Magalong testified before the Senate accusing PNP chief Oscar Albayalde of protecting police officers involved in the drug trade.

He served as the contact tracing czar of the Philippine government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic from July 2020 until his irrevocable resignation on January 29, 2021.

He also completed the Counter Terrorists Operation Course in Louisiana, USA, and the Senior Crisis Management Course in Washington, DC.

Magalong, who was then a lieutenant in command of the Philippine Constabulary detachment in Buguias, Benguet, played a key part in 1986 People Power Revolution in the Cordillera, as the first officer to defect from the administration of Ferdinand Marcos.

[7] During the early days of the merger of the Philippine Constabulary and the Integrated National Police, Magalong would get to experience the CIDG for the first time.

[9][10] On March 14, 2005, two weeks after Magalong was absolved of the assassination plot charges against him, inmates in the Camp Bagong Diwa were able to seize weapons from the guards.

"[9][10] On February 24, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation 1017, declaring a state of emergency existed in the country.

He assumed the post and afterwards worked with the 14-man National Advisory Council, with the goal of the PNP transformation program known as "PATROL PLAN 2030".

[30] He ran under a platform of speedy government action, revitalizing the environment, innovating peace and order condition, aggressive traffic management, empowering the youth and a responsive education program.

A month after his proclamation as the winner in the mayoral elections, Magalong warned establishments in the city of the existence of several persons using his name to supposedly extort money or place food orders, mostly in restaurants he and his family frequents.

[43] In September 2019, he expressed his dismay over the ongoing rehabilitation of the Baguio Convention Center, and has since then vowed that he will not tolerate substandard work adding it was about time these contractors became answerable to the people.

[46] In October 2019, days after his testimony at the Senate, Magalong revealed that he has been receiving death threats and is worried for his family.

La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda disproved Magalong's statement, saying that no irrigation comes from the Balili River as they only source it from the creek of Pico and Puguis.

I was wrong and I apologize," emphasizing that he was pertaining to the issue of the city's guilt of polluting the river which flows into the municipality of La Trinidad.

[56] In late January, due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Magalong canceled the opening parade of the Panagbenga Festival and other major events within the next three weeks, also affecting the CARAA Games.

[57] The Panagbenga Festival was later rescheduled to late March 21–29, a month from the original scheduled date, but was scrapped altogether due to the ensuing COVID-19 lockdown.

Magalong's COVID-19 testing and tracing policies in Baguio were hailed by medical experts as a model that the whole country should follow.

[59][60][61] Six months later, he and his wife Arlene were seen together with other celebrities and high society personalities in a "super-spreader" birthday party hosted by socialite and eventologist Tim Yap at The Manor at Camp John Hay on January 17, 2021.

Despite the prevalent lockdown, evident quarantine violations were observed, among others nil social distancing and guests not wearing face masks.

Magalong acknowledged the lapses and his presence in that event, and on January 29, he announced his immediate resignation as the country's contact tracing czar.

[65] During the celebration of the city's founding anniversary on September 1, 2017, Gen. Magalong was awarded as an outstanding citizen of Baguio, along with Dr. Joanne Jularbal Balderas and Dr. Dionisio R. Claridad Jr.[66] Magalong was portrayed by Edu Manzano in the 2023 film Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told, of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival directed by Lester Dimarana, and based on Mamasapano clash.