AFP to probe looting allegations in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - - The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) created a board of inquiry to investigate the allege involvement of at least four soldiers in looting one of the abandoned houses at the war- torn district at the height of the siege staged by  the Nur Misuari faction of the  Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, chairperson of the local crisis management committee (CMC), said Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo has informed  her of the creation of the board of inquiry  to be led by the Judge Advocate Generals Office (JAGO).

She said the investigating team will be looking on the alleged involvement of soldiers who reportedly ransacked one of the houses while government forces were flushing out more than 500 MNLF rebels from occupying the Sta. Catalina, sta. Barbara, Rio Hondo and Mariki barangays.

The military was prompted to conduct the investigation after a marines reportedly caught four soldiers in a telephone video camera allegedly taking personal belongings in the abandoned house of Vicente Guingona, uncle of City councilor BG Guingona last September 20.

Vicente reported that among those taken were weapons and jewelry and wristwatch. They have recovered the weapons, but they have yet to find their jewelry and other personal belongings.

“The Westmincom has forwarded me a letter that they have already created the board of inquiry that will investigate the allegation of the involvement of some military personnel,” Salazar said.

Salazar said she was saddened by the reports but expressed her high regard to the gallantry of the military and police forces in defending the city from the invaders during the 22-day siege.

Meanwhile, police authorities are considering as evidence a video footage believed to be taken through a cellphone camera showing the MNLF rebels using civilian hostages as human shields at the height siege in the war- torn district in this city.

A police source disclosed that the cellphone containing video footage was believed to be taken by one of the rebels showing the hostages being commandeered while raising white banners.

The cellphone was recovered as among the pieces of evidence against the MNLF fighters.