Former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Loreta "Etta" Rosales on Monday denied statements being attributed to her, which allegedly expressed her support to the Maute group.

Rosales cited reports which had her purportedly saying that the Maute group should be treated with compassion and that she was against the military's bomb attacks on rebel positions.

"I would like to correct that on two grounds: first, I am no longer chair of the CHR; secondly, I condemn the attack of the Maute group as a terror group in Marawi City--it went to the hospital and went to the schools," she told reporters.

Rosales also warned the public against fake news, which could create confusion.

Rosales said martial law should be limited to Marawi, instead of the entire Mindanao.

President Rodrigo Duterte might be "testing the waters" or the extent of his popularity by raising the possibility of extending the scope of martial law, she said.