SOLDIERS ‘BEAT’ CAPTIVE IN VIDEO; PROBE LAUNCHED
A suspected Maute fighter captured by government troops in Marawi City was allegedly beaten, prompting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to launch an investigation while appealing for understanding.
A video aired by GMA News Thursday night showed a man clad in underwear and covered with mud and blood. The man, whose hands were handcuffed behind his back, was wailing as men dressed in military uniform were punching and kicking him.
Overheard in the background were some men trying to pacify the others and calling for a medic. But another was heard yelling in Filipino, “You have killed many (of our comrades), idiot!”
Major General Restituto Padilla Jr., AFP spokesperson, said the video showed a clear violation of human rights and needed to be investigated to determine its veracity.
“He (suspected Maute member) was being taunted so some [soldiers] could not hide their emotions perhaps because he was believed to be part of the enemy who killed some of our soldiers. We’re not sure yet when and how this came out, when it was taken,” the military spokesman said.
“But what is certain there is we will need to launch an investigation to ascertain the veracity of this video, as well as ascertain who are involved. The Armed Forces is very strict, regarding the treatment of captives in a conflict situation. They are supposed to be decently treated and respected, which did not happen in this case,” he added.
Padilla said the public should understand that the troops might have become emotional over the death of their comrades.
Padilla said what happened was an “isolated case.” He also assured that those who were involved in the physical assault of the suspected Maute fighter would face appropriate sanctions, if proven to have violated human rights.
“We are not hiding this,” he said, adding the results of the investigation would be made public and those responsible held accountable.
US Defense Secretary James Mattis, while in the Philippines on Wednesday, praised local troops for upholding human rights during the Marawi conflict.
“I think the most important thing is here’s an army that had to go in a fight like that, and they had not one human rights allegation against them with any credibility, not one,” Mattis told reporters.
The battle in Marawi, which erupted on May 23, prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to place Mindanao under martial law, which has been extended until the end of the year.
Government ended the armed conflict on October 23, although the military has continued to conduct clearing operations.
The conflict killed 165 government troops and 920 militants. /
Our appeal is to please understand our colleagues because in this case, they are deeply emotional and we don’t know when it happened. So if it was recorded after an encounter and recovery of the bodies of slain soldiers who were burnt and decapitated, it could be understandable MAJ. GEN. RESTITUTO PADILLA JR. Armed Forces spokesperson