The climate of violence, lawlessness and impunity makes life difficult for the people of Mindanao. The incident of kidnapping and barbaric execution of 57 people in the province of Maguindanao has gained the attention of the international press. Philippine President Gloria Arroyo declared Martial Law (lifted after eight days) in the southern provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City allegedly to prevent further violence among the clans (especially among the Mangudadatu and Ampatuan, long-time rivals). Thousands of soldiers have been deployed and the Government has assured that they will make “every effort to punish those responsible with utmost rigor.”
But the issue is upstream, according to Fr. Eliseo Mercado of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Professor at Notre Dame of Cotabato and well-informed on the area of Mindanao: “There is no doubt that the proliferation of illegal small arms in southern Philippines is the main problem, which contributes to an increase in the number of wounded and dead, to human rights violations, and to fueling the war between rival gangs.”
The point is that even the civilians have begun to arm themselves to defend themselves from the violence that abounds. It is estimated that over 1.1 million illegal weapons without license are in circulation in the Philippines, a large majority of the percentage being in the South. In addition, there are 1.8 million legally held weapons in the entire nation. According to data from the police, 97% of crimes recorded between 2004 and 2008 were committed using illegal weapons. “It’s a phenomenon that helps to create instability and deteriorates peace and public order,” notes Fr. Mercado.
Recently, the government issued an “amnesty” in which the owners of illegal weapons that had them registered would not incur penalties. But the results were not satisfactory, indicating that most of the weapons are in the hands of criminal gangs. “This is an important issue that the new legislators and the new government (elections are in 2010) must urgently address,” notes the missionary. “It is the future and social peace in Mindanao.”
The world’s biggest exporter of small arms is the United States, from whence come the vast majority of the weapons found in the Philippines. Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publicly declared that its government will work to stop the proliferation of small arms in the world. “It is a position we welcome, hoping that it could affect the plight of the Southern Philippines,” said Father Mercado.
