Militants forced hostages to loot, Philippines says

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine military said Monday that militants aligned with the Islamic State group who seized parts of a southern city forced hostages to loot millions in cash, firearms, ammunition, gold and jewelry from houses and business establishments.

At least 10 hostages who separately escaped from the militants two weeks ago disclosed the looting the gunmen forced them to undertake in Marawi, the military said in a statement, adding that the captives were forced to convert to Islam and threatened with death if they refused.

The hostages stole about 500 million pesos ($10 million) in cash along with unspecified items during the lootings, which were supervised by the gunmen and allied criminal gangs, the military said. The gunmen promised the captives cash rewards.

“They believe that the amount of cash and valuable items looted could be worth more as there were several other groups being forced by terrorists to loot and steal for them,” the military said. The stolen items were stored in a mosque.

The military claim, which could not be confirmed immediately, is the latest criminal allegation by the government against the militants, who laid siege May 23 on the business district and outlying communities of Marawi.

The violence has left at least 459 people dead, including 336 militants, 84 soldiers and policemen and 39 civilians. At least eight foreign fighters are believed to be among the dead in the fierce fighting, which has forced more than 300,000 residents of Marawi and nearby towns to flee and turned parts of the lakeside city into ghost towns.

After more than a month of offensives, troops have regained 15 of 19 villages besieged by the militants, with fewer than 100 gunmen holding an unspecified number of hostages still putting up a fight, military officials said.