EDITORIAL - Awash with guns

One can forgive state security forces for their inability to disarm insurgent groups in parts of Mindanao. On-and-off peace negotiations stall every effort at disarmament in this case. But state forces will have to do a better job in enforcing the country’s gun laws, which happen to be among the toughest in the world, when dealing with other armed groups. Abu Sayyaf members aren’t the only armed bandits terrorizing people in Mindanao. Last Monday morning, gunmen attacked a fishing boat in the waters off Basilan, leaving 15 fishermen dead and three others wounded.

The military said six men armed with assault rifles, on board two fishing boats, staged the attack, in an operation believed aimed at controlling the fishing grounds around Sibago Island. The victims were from Pagadian. How can fishermen use assault rifles to enforce illegal exclusive claims on fishing grounds? The law limits civilians to owning handguns; licenses for rifles and other high-powered firearms are issued only under special circumstances. Those assault rifles, used as murder weapons, for sure were not licensed. Their use in a battle over fishing turf highlights the ease by which guns can be obtained in the lawless enclaves of Mindanao. And if fishermen can arm themselves with assault rifles, it is not surprising that rebel groups can build massive arsenals that include grenade launchers.

Where do the weapons and ammunition come from? They can’t all be sourced from the not-so-secret gun manufacturing plants of Danao in Cebu. Security officials estimate that there are about 1.1 million loose firearms nationwide. The ease by which weapons and ammunition can be obtained in this country contributes to political violence and the many cases of executions targeting left-wing activists and journalists. The killing of those 15 fishermen should prod authorities to do more in controlling the proliferation of loose firearms.