World, Asia - Pacific

Philippines: Maute uses women hostages as 'sex slaves'

Female hostages are also forced to marry members of Daesh-linked terrorist group, army spokesman says

27.06.2017 - Update : 28.06.2017
Philippines: Maute uses women hostages as 'sex slaves' FILE PHOTO

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines 

Female hostages of the Daesh-linked Maute group, who is fighting against the government forces in the southern Philippines’ Marawi City, are being forced into sex slavery and marriage with militants, according to the army.

"The worst thing is there are cases of female hostages forced to marry the [members of the] Maute local terrorist group. They are forced to be sex slaves, or forced to destroy the dignity of these women," Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, Joint Task Force Marawi spokesman told a press briefing on Tuesday.

The information, according to Herrera, was shared by the hostages recovered from the conflict zone over the weekend.

Aside from rape, the hostages were also tasked with looting houses and establishments for ammunition, firearms, cash and jewelries, Herrera said.

"The hostages were forced to bring firearms to fight security forces. The hostages are also forced to revert to Islam and tasked with taking wounded terrorists to mosques," Herrera added.

The spokesman branded the terrorists as "evil personalities".

Spokesman of the Lanao del Sur provincial crisis management committee, Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong told ABS-CBN News that the acts of the militants did not reflect the true character of Muslims.

"Our religion is very clear in giving priority to decency of women," Adiong was quoted as saying. "What we just heard from Col. Herrera, the condition of this people does not represent completely what Islam is all about," he added.

According to the military, an estimated 150 to 200 people are still being held captives by the militants.

Clashes in Marawi started on May 23 which prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to impose martial law on the southern island of Mindanao.

The conflict has left more than 200,000 residents displaced. Death toll as of Tuesday is 387 including 290 militants, 70 government troops and 27 civilians.

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