AFP probes video of alleged soldiers executing captive

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched an investigation into a video showing the mauling and shooting of a captive by uniformed men believed to be members of the military, AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said.

“We are having it investigated. Of course, we have to identify saan ba yun nangyari, anong unit ang involved, is this really an authentic video? These are the things that we're looking into,” Catapang said in an interview aired on GMA News' “24 Oras” Monday.



Catapang was referring to a video, uploaded on Facebook by a certain Abu Maida'n on June 20, 2014.

The video, which lasts for four minutes and eight seconds, shows 18 men wearing military uniforms mauling a captive whose hands and feet were tied, taking turns in kicking him in the head and body. The mauling was done outside an abandoned two-storey house.

The man taking the video can be heard saying: “Ang nakikita ninyo po ay isang kasapi ng MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) na nahuli ng puwersang militar.”

“Pinatay nalang sana nila iyan kesa pahirapan pa,” another man can be heard saying.

After about three minutes of mauling, the captive was then dragged to a field beside the house and shot repeatedly.

“Hoy, tama na! Tama na yan!,” a man can be heard in the background but the uniformed men took turns in firing at the lifeless body of the captive.

More than 100 gunshots can be heard throughout the video.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Von Al Haq said the captive who was summarily executed on the video was not a member of the MILF, the “24 Oras” report said.

In an interview, AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said they already ordered the Western Mindanao Command's 6th Infantry Division to conduct an investigation into the incident as the uniformed men who appeared on the video were believed to be stationed in Central Mindanao.

Zagala also said that based on the uniform that the men were wearing, the video might have been shot in 2008.

“Luma na itong video na ito. At least more than four years ago at the least. Kasi makikita natin doon sa kasuotan at kagamitan, hindi na yun yung ginagamit natin over the last four years. For example, yung helmet alone—wala silang helmet lahat. Ang helmet ay isang parte na ng uniporme ng sundalo all over the country,” Zagala said.

He, however, assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted. — Elizabeth Marcelo/JDS, GMA News