Graffiti on this building indicates that the ISIS, together with the Maute group positioned and occupied this street in Marawi City. (Alexander Lopez/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Alongside the fighting they waged against government forces for more than 40 days now in Marawi City, members of the Maute Group were also into looting spree by ransacking abandoned residences, stealing cash, pieces of jewelry and other valuables.
Stories of massive looting were among the avowals made by hostages and trapped individuals, who, after days of being held captives by the Mautes, managed to free themselves with the help of rescuers from the government and rescue groups.
They also reported that aside from the members of Maute, other criminals also joined the looting spree.
The Joint Task Force Marawi on Tuesday said around P500-million worth of cash, including pieces of jewelry and other valuables were carted away by the Maute members and criminals.
“Seven hostages who were able to reach government forces two weeks ago, followed by another who escaped a few days later and by another two several days ago made these disturbing revelations thus corroborating earlier information received by JTF Marawi headquarters,” the JTF said.
Not only residences, the looting were also staged in business establishments inside Marawi, the freed hostages and trapped individuals further revealed.
They also believed that more cash and valuable items may be been looted from inside Marawi as Maute Group forced other hostages to loot for them.
“The rescued and escaped hostages said they were forced to loot and steal under duress and upon instruction and supervision of Maute and Abu Sayyaf rebels and local criminal gangs that joined the Mautes after being promised for monetary rewards by the DAESH-inspired group,” the statement added.
Looting and stealing in houses and establishments are scheduled from 7 AM to 11 AM and after lunch break up to 3 PM, the hostages further revealed.
“The looted items were all brought to a central storage in a mosque and received by designated Maute members who were keeping a list for accounting,” the JTF Marawi statement said.
The task force believes Maute members also committed other crimes as they continue to fight the advancing forces of the government.
Revelations of such crimes by rescued hostages and trapped individuals and still being validated by authorities, the task force said. (davaotoday.com)
