MANILA, Philippines – The publisher and the editors of a Hong Kong magazine that carried an offensive column has apologized.

“The HK Magazine has long championed the rights of Filipinos working in Hong Kong. We note that Filipinos have often been unfairly treated in Hong Kong, and that they make an important contribution to this community,” a statement posted on the Department of Foreign affairs website said.

“As a magazine, we would never want to say anything that would negate that belief,” the statement said.

It, however, pointed out that the column by Chip Tsao, titled “The War at Home,” was meant as a satire.

“One aspect of satire is that it can at times be read in different ways. In particular case, many people have read meanings into this column that were never actually intended,” the statement said.