By EDWIN G. ESPEJO in General Santos City

With civilians arming themselves after their villages were attacked—some, threatened to be attacked—by Muslim rebels, there is now reportedly a shortage of firearms and bullets in Mindanao, sources said.

This has led to a bullish arms black market, where an M14 rifle is reportedly sold at P90,000, and an M16 Armalite rifle, between P50,000 and P70,000.

The .30 caliber ammunitions for Garand rifles, the standard issue to government militiamen, are in demand, too.

Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have attacked four provinces so far where local officials are against the inclusion of their towns or villages in the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity to be led by the MILF.

The attacks started after the Supreme Court stopped at the last minute the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the national government and the MILF defining the BJE. The MOA was drafted in secrecy, and affected localities are asking the tribunal to compel the government to make its contents public.

Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon has said that civilians may now be allowed to defend themselves with available arms in their possession. Licensed owners starting taking out their guns, especially during organized night watches. Cities and municipalities who are threatened by MILF attacks have put up check points and blockades.

This week, civilians who introduced themselves as members of the Ilaga said that they have resurrected the vigilante group, a 1970s anti-Muslim organization created by the so-called group of seven headed by Feliciano Luces alias “Kumander Toothpick.”

Luces’s face was splashed on the front pages of national dailies in the 1970’s after he met with then President Ferdinand Marcos during the height of Moro war in Mindanao. The tale that went around after the meeting was that Kumander Toothpick gave Marcos an amulet that would protect the bearer against bullets coming from assassins.

When Kumander Toothpick died, Norberto Manero took over the reins of the Ilaga and gained notoriety for killing Italian missionary Fr. Tulio Favali in 1985. Manero served time for the crime, but is now free after he was given parole by President Joseph Estrada.

World War II vintage rifles, such as the M1 Garand rifles, Carbine, bolt-action Springfields, 12-gauge shotguns, and 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 politician known to maintain a private army has reportedly sent word that he is willing to buy an M14 rifle for up to P90,000. The military would not confirm that it’s running out .30 caliber ammunitions.

Local politicians are no longer coy about residents arming themselves to ward off possible attacks by the MILF.

Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez said residents have the right to bear arms and urged them to be on guard. Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz has defended the decision of civilians to bear arms, saying they have the “right to self preservation.”

North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol has locked horns with presidential peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. over requests for more arms and ammunition. ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan has reportedly beefed up his already strong security force.

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 1970s.

Many are hoping he is wrong.

Source