Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 27) — A unit of the military apologized Friday for manipulating a photo supposedly showing communist rebels who surrendered, but only to “protect” those who turned themselves in.

“Our line unit's intention is not to mislead the public, but to protect the lives of the former rebels who placed themselves at risk by surrendering to the government,” Major Ricky Anthony Aguilar of the 9th Infantry Division said in a statement.

Aguilar added, “We admit to have committed a mistake though by manipulating the picture for the sole purpose of ensuring the safety of the lives of the [former rebels] and their families.”

He said that they were not able to verify the authenticity of the photo they sent out to the media, due to their “ardent desire to release timely information.”

He asserted that even if the photo was manipulated, there were 306 rebels who surrendered in Masbate last December 26.

The photo, which showed a lineup of people with blurred faces, prompted criticism against the military from netizens who commented that the picture looked photoshopped.

It was sent to the media on Thursday as an attachment to a press release which claimed that 306 communist rebels, including New People’s Army members, Milisyang Bayan members, and Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad officers and members, surrendered on the day of the 51st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines.