DUTERTE DEFENDS

MANILA : Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last Tuesday rejected allegations by a rights group that troops engaged in looting during the bloody battle against Islamic-State followers in the Southern city of Marawi.

Duterte also assured soldiers he would protect their interests following allegations by Amnesty International that they had committed abuses during the  five-month battle in Marawi, that left over a thousand people dead.

 ''These allegations of stealing in Marawi, I don't believe it. I was there. I know,'' he told soldiers wounded in the siege.

Duterte who frequently met soldiers during the operation, said it was understandable if they had used a 'civilian's electric fan to combat the heat.

But I don't believe that my soldiers are thieves. Where would they put the stolen items? '' he said.

Amnesty International released a report last week which alleged that troops looted television sets, antiques and computers.

The fiery president said that he did not believe such allegations . ''Especially those human rights [groups]. All they do is talk. Forget them. I'll handle everything,'' Duterte said.

He did not mention Amnesty's most serious allegations, that soldiers had detained and tortured civilians trying to flee the besieged southern city during the fighting.