MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Eduardo Año on Saturday assured the Congress that government troops who will violate human rights amid the martial law in Mindanao will be punished.
The House of Representatives and the Senate held a special joint session for the voting on the extension of martial law.
Año told the joint session that soldiers are focused on fighting the Maute-ISIS terror group and would never think of committing human rights violations.
LIVE: Joint Congress session on martial law
"Alam po ninyo habang nag-uusap tayo dito, may nagaganap na labanan ngayon sa Marawi. 100 na po yung killed in action natin kagabi, nadagdagan po ito ng lima at 26 na sugatan. 'Yan po ang labanan natin ngayon pero kahit gaano po karami ang casualties sa aming panig, never na nag-isip kami na gagawa ng human rights violation," the AFP chief told the Congress.
He stressed that government troops themselves were the ones who brought the bodies of killed civilians in cleared areas.
"Alisin po natin 'yung pag-iisip na ang martial law ay magdudulot ng maraming human rights violations," Año said.
Año said that the military is prepared for any human rights violation complaint that will be filed against government troops.
"I will ensure na parurusahan natin kung meron pong lalabag ng mga karapatang pantao," Año said.