Saturday, August 23, 2008 War ups gun prices, drains bullet stock By Edwin G. Espejo Contributor
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- People in the black market are making a killing in selling guns, with M14 rifles now going as high as P90,000 each when it used to be for only P40,000.
The P90,000 price, however, is if you can find one.
An M16 Armalite rifle, on the other hand, is between P50,000 to P70,000. Again, if they are available.
Military is running out of .30 caliber ammo as politicians and civilians are now rushing to arm themselves following a flare-up of violence between government troops and armed rebels belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
There is an unusual spike in the sales of bullets too even in Davao City and talks are rife that politicians from Central Mindanao are buying all these stocks.
Following the announcement of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Avelino Razon Jr. that civilians may be allowed to defend themselves with available arms in their possession, villagers who have been keeping their arms out of public view are now openly displaying them, at least in the evening during organized night watches.
This week, civilians who introduced themselves as members of the Ilaga said they have resurrected the vigilante group, a dreaded '70s anti-Muslim cult organization created by the so-called group of seven headed by the controversial cult hero Feliciano Luces alyas "Kumander Toothpick."
Luces's face was splashed in the front pages of national dailies in the 70's after he met with the deposed and late strongman former President Ferdinand Marcos during the height of Moro war in Mindanao.
The tale that went around after the said meeting was that Kumander Toothpick reportedly gave Marcos an amulet that will protect the bearer against bullets coming from assassins.
When Kumander Toothpick died, Norberto Manero took over the reins of the Ilaga with which he gained notoriety for killing Italian missionary Fr. Tulio Favali in 1985.
Manero served jail for the crime but is now free after he was given parole.
The renaissance of the dreaded group is threatening to plunge Mindanao into the era of bloody religious war that gave rise to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and now the MILF.
World War II vintage rifles such as the M1 Garand rifles, Carbine, bolt-action Springfields, 12-gauge shotguns and even the dependable Thompson sub machine guns are now being polished clean as villagers gear to defend their properties and lives.
In General Santos City, gun stores have reportedly ran out of shotgun cartridges.
A prominent politician in Maguindanao has reportedly sent word that he is willing to buy an M-14 rifle for up to P90,000.
Although the military would not confirm it, its arsenal has reportedly run out of .30 caliber ammunitions used in Garand rifles, which are standard issues to government militiamen.
Even local politicians are no longer coy about residents arming themselves to ward off possible escalation of attacks from the MILF.
Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez said residents have the right to bear arms and urged them to be on close guard.
Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol even locked horns with presidential peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. over requests for more arms and ammunition.
Governor Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) has reportedly beefed up his already strong private bodyguards.
The arms black market is indeed having a bullish run, too.
A source, who declined to be identified, said one group of arms dealer told a provincial governor that it is willing to provide the needed war material "at a minimal add-on cost -- with free delivery."
One lawyer said he fears the violence may escalate and Mindanao could revert back to the religious war that killed thousands and displaced more than a million residents in the '70s.
"The Moro rebels are known for their brutality. The Christians even more. It is a sorry situation fast developing," he rued. Many are hoping he is wrong.
