Military apologizes to UN rapporteur

AN official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Eastern Mindanao has apologized to UN Special Rapporteur Cheloka Beyani who felt slighted by the officer’s “distortion” of his views on the condition of hundreds of lumad or indigenous people who have sought refuge at the United Church of Christ (UCCP) in Haran in Davao City.

Beyani’s spokesman has accused the AFP of “gross misrepresentation” when it issued a statement on August 7 titled “Lumads in Haran are manipulated: Not Evacuees but victims of trafficking.”