DAVAO CITY -- Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana warned soldiers accused of looting in Marawi City that they would suffer punishment if proven guilty.
Lorenzana said he would order the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to apply the “full force of the law” to address the matter.
“Hindi pwedeng, law enforcement agent ka diyan, ikaw ang inaasahan na poprotekta sa kanila, ikaw pa ang mag-aano sa kanila parang bantay salakay, ba (This should not be tolerated because you are expected to protect the civilians)," he said in an interview at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City, Tuesday night.
He said that there would be thorough investigation that would be conducted on the allegation of some residents of Marawi City who went home after President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared its liberation from ISIS-inspired Maute Group.
“Ayon naman sa mga nakausap ko na mga sundalo noon, nung pumasok sila gulong-gulo na ang mga bahay (According to the soldiers that I talked before, the houses were already in a mess),” he said.
Lorenzana said if the soldiers really did the looting, but they could not pinpoint the suspect, the government would give reparations to the owners of the house.
Joint Task Group Ranao deputy commander Col. Romeo Brawner earlier revealed that there is a military officer and five personnel of the Philippine Army who are being investigated for looting in the war-torn city.
The looting allegedly took place during the first weeks of the war.
Among the stolen items were cash, jewelry, appliances and even exercise equipment.
Reportedly, the commander of the soldiers involved immediately ordered them to return the alleged stolen items. Administrative cases will be slapped against these soldiers, whose name are still withheld by the AFP, if found guilty. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)
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