Duterte defends troops on looting in Marawi siege

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on 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.

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

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