Maranao leader tells Congress of 'abuses' under Mindanao martial law

A leader of the Maranao community on Saturday reported alleged human rights abuses during the 60-day implementation of martial law in Mindanao.

Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, spokesperson for the Ranao Rescue Team, became emotional in reporting to Congress the alleged human rights violations in Marawi City.

Congress is in a joint session to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte's bid to extend martial up to the end of 2017.

Tomawis, who resigned from the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in May, recalled that a mother reported that her son with special needs was “psychologically interrogated.”

Tomawis also cited another incident wherein several men rescued by authorities were asked to remove their shirts and had blindfolds over their eyes.

“Sabi daw ng isang boses ng authorities, maghukay kayo ng inyong libingan,” Tomawis said while briefing the joint session.

“I am from Marawi City, please ask us what we feel, how do we feel? How do we stand up and rise?”

Tomawis also complained how national security was cited as the reason behind the failure of the government to bury Muslim casualties in accordance with their customs.

“Hindi nilibing — sa Islam, one day lang. Bawal sa Islam, the form of prohibition and taboo, hindi pwedeng iwanan at [hindi] i-bury,” Tomawis said.

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Chito Gascon said that while they have yet to receive formal complaints on human rights abuses in Mindanao in connection with the martial law declaration, it does not mean that there are no violations occuring.

“We do not have a categorical statement that would say that there are no human rights violations,” Gascon said.

Armed Forces chief of staff General Eduardo Año on Saturday vowed to hold accountable military personnel who have allegedly committed human rights abuses amid the martial law declaration in Mindanao.

Año said this during the joint session held by Congress to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law until December 31 of this year.

“We will conduct the appropriate investigation and punish and apply sanctions on those who committed [abuses],” Año said.

Año added that authorities are doing their best so that Marawi residents will not experience any “inconvenience” as the military offensive against the Maute group continues to displace residents in the strife-torn city. -NB, GMA News