By Roel Pareño
ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — Maute terrorists are planning to use their captives as suicide bombers once they are cornered by government security forces, according to three hostages who escaped from the war zone in Marawi City.
Romar Marjalino, 39; his brother Roel, 37, and Jimmy Esperat, 43, yesterday told authorities that the terrorists would strap improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to the hostages.
The three reunited with their families at the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) in this city Sunday.
The hostages escaped from their captors last week and were turned over by NFWM chief Rene Medina to Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Saturday.
Medina said the victims had to undergo debriefing, as their information could be useful to the military operations.
Marjalino confirmed that Catholic priest Fr. Teresito Suganob is still alive.
“We were with Father Chito. He is okay, but he is tasked to collect powder from piccolo, five-star and other explosives to be used for improvised bombs that will be rigged to us,” Marjalino said.
The Mautes have so far not strapped an IED to any hostage, Marjalino said, adding there are about 46 hostages remaining at the site where the Mautes held them.
Among them are 20 women including teachers and ordinary workers, and 13 minors.
Marjalino said that during their captivity, several children died from suffocation due to bomb explosions and foul smell of decomposing human flesh.
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