AFP, PNP investigate looting in Marawi homes

A few residents who returned to their homes on Thursday after five months found that their houses were looted.

According to Raffy Tima's report for "24 Oras," residents living in 10 barangays declared safe by the government within the "controlled area" could be allowed to return to their homes by Sunday.

"Itong controlled area po na ito, these are the areas that were not damaged so much from the siege of the Maute-ISIS," said Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Joint Task force Ranao.

In preparation, a few residents were given passes to conduct a neighborhood clean-up. This was how one resident discovered that his home had been robbed.

Although he was happy that his house still stands, Yamani Mikunug tried hard to hold back his tears.

"Paparating lang ako dito..'yung kung puwedeng umiyak, sumigaw, gagawin ko pero lalaki tayo eh. So sa damdamin lang natin iyon," said Mikunug.

"Iyong gamit namin diyan ng asawa ko, pinaghirapan namin iyun. Pero okay lang sana pero...Mayroong masama pero papalitan din iyan ng Allah," he added.

Residents were also given a chance to peer beyond the Mapandi bridge, which serves as boundary between the main battle area and the safe zone.

Houses in Lilod Saduk remain in tact even if it was located so close to the main battle area.

Maute group members occupied the area, which made it hard for another resident to pinpoint who robbed their home.

"Yung ibang bahay po namin sa war zone nawala. Dito rin, may natitira pero 'yung loob, wala rin...'yung mga kagamitan po namin nawala na po talaga," said Salimah Mangotara.

Mangotara said she was willing to let the theft go as long as she and her fellow citizens can return to their normal lives.

"So okay lang. Hindi ko na po 'yan papakialaman po basta po makabalik kami ng maayos, matiwasay po," she said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are investigating the looting incidents. They have not received any formal complaints but some seem to blame the troops.

"What we are really doing now is look at those circumstances, kung sakali. Mahirap din mag-pinpoint kung sinu-sino kasi mahirap din na, wala nga din silang pruweba eh," said Lt.  Col. Rosendo Abad, Jr.

"So kaya nga sabi ko, tanggapin niyo na kaysa naman magsisihan pa tayo. So we'll just be...move on nalang," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News