Military spokesperson quits after UN expert's rebuke

MANILA, Philippines — The spokesperson of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) on Thursday resigned after the office of a United Nations (UN) expert claimed that his statement on indigenous peoples was "grossly misrepresented" by the military.

Former military regional spokesman Col. Eduardo Gubat said his resignation has been accepted by EASTMINCOM chief Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad.

The controversy erupted after EASTMINCOM issued a statement quoting UN Special Rapporteur Chaloka Beyani as saying that more than 1,000 indigenous peoples staying in a church in Haran, Davao City were "manipulated."

The military previously claimed that the indigenous peoples were being held against their will to make it appear that they are afraid of the presence of government troops in the area.

The statement, however, failed to mention Beyani's assessment that the indigenous peoples were relocated to the church freely in response to the militarization of their areas.

"Lt. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad, commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, has approved of my resignation as spokesperson. However, the Eastern Mindanao Command maintains that Dr. Beyani in his exit briefing described that the indigenous people in Haran are manipulated," Gubat said.

Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla admitted that a mistake has been committed but maintained that there was no deliberate effort to mislead the public.

"It is unfortunate that a misunderstanding of this nature occurred, one we wish to avoid in the future," Padilla said.