Navy orders probe of torture video

MANILA, Philippines –  Philippine Navy chief Rear Admiral Alexander Pama ordered yesterday an investigation of the torture of civilians shown in a video uploaded on the social networking site Facebook.

The low-resolution video was uploaded by a certain Bautista Peter John and can be seen on http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=189913031028856&comments. It shows severa; hogtied men – reportedly suspected terrorists – being beaten by men in camouflage uniforms, said to be Marines.

Pama has directed the Naval inspector general to conduct the investigation.

The Philippine Marine Corps., meanwhile, is checking the authenticity of the video. If the video is found to be authentic, the PMC will identify the personnel seen in the video and determine the extent of their culpability.