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Video shows Marawi soldiers beating suspected Maute member


 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will look into the report that several soldiers in Marawi City had ganged up on a suspected Maute fighter in their custody, GMA News' Jun Veneracion reported on 24 Oras on Thursday.

A video obtained by GMA News showed the alleged Maute member, bloodied and clad only in underwear, being surrounded by soldiers, most of whom were taunting him and blaming him for the deaths of other soldiers.

The incident reportedly took place in one of the streets in the main battle area in Marawi City. It was not clear when the video was taken.

Though some soldiers were seen trying to pacify their colleagues and even calling for a medic, the alleged terrorist was still physically assaulted after he was handcuffed.

It was not clear if the alleged terrorist surrendered to the military or was captured during the five-month armed conflict in Marawi City.

Colonel Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Joint Task Group Ranao, said they will look into the incident.

"Hindi natin tino-tolerate 'yung mga human rights violations," he said after he was shown the video of the incident. "Kung sino 'yung nakita sa video na maaaring nag-violate ng human rights [ay] iimbestigahan natin."

Brawner, however, said it is standard operating procedure to order enemies who surrendered or captured to strip to their underwear to ensure that they are not armed and carrying a bomb.

"We believe it is an isolated case," Brawner said of the mauling. "Pag-aaralan natin mabuti ang vidoe na ito. This will help us in the investigation."

He said the investigation will also determine what happened to the alleged terrorist after the video.

"Maski sa ating rules of engagement, pag ganyan na di na armado ay kailangan na irespecto 'yung pagkatao niya at 'yung karapatang pantao niya," Brawner said. —KBK, GMA News

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