Mocha apologizes for wearing boots in mosque, denies taking selfie

Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson on Wednesday clarified that she had no intention of disrespecting Islam when she entered a mosque without a hijab and while wearing boots, GMA News' Joseph Morong reported on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho."

Her statement came a day after Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong flagged her for taking a selfie and failing to take off her boots during her visit to the Grand Islamic Mosque.

Adiong had advised her to "hire an etiquette manager" and "avoid actions that may offend our Muslim brothers and sisters."

When asked by GMA News to comment on the issue, Uson said she already stated her response in a video posted on her official Facebook page MOCHA USON BLOG.

On the video, Uson apologized for failing to remove her footwear when she accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte and several soldiers inside.

"Gayun pa man, humihingi ako ng kapatawaran sa mga kapatid nating Muslim sa hindi ko pag-suot ng hijab at hindi ko pagtanggal ng sapatos. Wala po akong intensyon na hindi galangin ang Mosque," she wrote.

They were not able to prepare when they entered the Grand Mosque when there was an exchange of gunfire as they approached the battle area.

She denied taking a selfie while inside the sacred structure.

Uson noted that she was "doing her job" in documenting President Rodrigo Duterte in his quest to get as close to the battle as possible.

"Kasi gustong lumapit ni PRRD sa frontline kung saan nagaganap ang mismong bakbakan...Habang naglalakad kami papunta dun ay lumalakas ang putukan (maririnig sa background)," she said.

"Ang patungkol sa video sa loob ng Mosque. Trabaho ko po ang i-dokumento si PRRD para sa Social Media. Pero taliwas sa sinasabi niyo hindi ako nagselfie sa MOSQUE," she added.

Uson also pointed out that she wasn't the only woman who wasn't wearing a hijab.

"Kung mapapansin niyo HINDI lang ako ang babaeng hindi naka HIJAB BAKIT?"

Earlier, Duterte said neither he nor those who accompanied him did not mean to be disrespectful.

"It was not meant to disrespect or dishonor [Islam]. Ayaw ko lang matinik [ako] pati 'yung lahat [ng kasama ko]," the President had said, citing "rubble and glass" were scattered inside the mosque.

The mosque had just been retaken by government forces after it was seized by the ISIS-inspired Maute group. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP/KG, GMA News