AFP to probe troops caught on video taunting Maute surrenderer

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it will launch an investigation on the video, which went viral on social, media showing soldiers “taunting” a Maute terrorist who surrendered to them.

According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla, the act of the soldiers on the video was unacceptable.

“This came out as a surprise,” Padilla said during the Mindanao Hour/ Bangon Marawi press briefing Friday morning.

“We’re not sure yet when and how this came out. But what is certain is we need to launch an investigation to ascertain the veracity of this video, as well as ascertain who are involved,” he added.

Padilla explained that the soldiers may have been taken over by their emotions when the incident was filmed. However, he said that their act was wrong.

The man in the video was seen only wearing his underwear as per protocol to check if he had hidden ordnance or explosives that could be a signal that he was a suicide bomber.

“He was being taunted and some could not hide their emotions perhaps because he was believed to be part of the enemy who killed some of our soldiers,” Padilla said.

“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 that while the video may have just been an isolated case, it did not justify the act of the still unidentified soldiers in the footage.

“Ang punto po dito, hindi po natin itinatago ito at hinaharap po natin ng may mariing paniniwala na may paglabag dito na nangyari. Kaya ‘yun po ang pinagtutuunan natin ng pansin (The point is, we cannot hide the fact we are facing now that there may have been violations committed. That’s why we are giving it attention),” he said.

“Ito po ay isang isolated case. Nakita niyo naman po sa tagal ng panahon na nandiyan po sa bakbakan ang ating kasundaluhan, maayos po na napamunuan ng ating mga liderato sa ating mga units diyan ang kanilang mga kasamahan (This is an isolated case. You can see that for the past five months, the heads of the units there were able to lead their men properly),” he added.

Padilla also assured that they will get to the bottom of the issue and will hold those responsible accountable.

“So hindi po tama ‘yun at aalamin po natin ito (What they did was not right and we will get to the bottom of it). So an investigation has been launched. Our personnel on the ground are advised about the possibility of where this came from and we will ascertain,” he said.

“Once we have any result, we will share this with you and definitely, those responsible will be held accountable,” he added.

“It was still a violation of the right of the individual because there were attempts to really hurt him,” he continued.