News agency Rappler has issued an official apology on Friday, September 12, to Senator Robin Padilla and the Muslim community over a video alleging that the senator made an obscene gesture while singing the Philippine National Anthem.

According to the news agency, a video was posted on their social media pages, which carried a caption alleging a vulgar hand gesture from Padilla during the Senate’s plenary session on September 8.

“We take responsibility for unclear communication in the newsroom that led to the posting of content that was still being verified. The video was immediately taken down,” its statement read.

“We would like to assure our Muslim brothers and sisters that there was no intention to put any sector or faith group in a bad light, and that we are strengthening our internal processes to avoid mistakes like this in the future,” it ended.

This follows Padilla’s denial of raising his middle finger (dirty finger), stating it was a misinterpretation.

“Ito po ay banal po sa aming mga muslim, banal po ito. Sapagkat ito po ang ibig sabihin po nito ‘La Ilaha illa wa’, ibig sabihin walang ibang diyos na dapat sambahin maliban sa Allah. Ito po ang pundasyon ng aming pananampalataya,” the senator stated.

“Hindi po namin pwedeng gawin na gawing kabastusan po ito. Magpapakamatay na lang po ako kung gagawin ko ‘yon,” he added.

He also expressed dismay over Rappler’s actions, asking the agency not to implicate his religion and faith.