Who Profits From The War in Mindanao?

Written on Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 at 2:31 pm | by Patricio Mangubat

Who’s supplying those arms, ammo, and mortar to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in this war in Mindanao? How much money are we spending bombarding those alleged camps and fortifications of the MILF? How much money have the government released to help thousands of displaced families out there in those provinces? Net–who is benefitting from this escalating conflict?

From 1975 to 2007, we have been spending close to P 300 billion for the war in Mindanao. With this recent one, expect this to climb higher. With this amount, government should identify the beneficiaries of these wars. I’m sure those arms dealers are laughing their way to the bank with this one, since this conflict is sure bonanza, with dealers arming both camps. How many millions are the MILF and the AFP spending for this shooting war?

Is this the “legitimate” reward of Gloria to her generals? In the past, Gloria has been giving lasting gifts to her allies. Look at what Mike Defensor got–a whopping US$ 150 million peso nickel lode. Other Gloria allies are getting their own share of the loot of Gloria.

Is this war the obvious reward of Gloria to her trusty generals, to keep them in line and possibly, prepare them for a longer engagement with her possibly beyond 2010? Who are the generals benefitting from arms deals in this war?

Government must be upfront in exposing who are those involved in (1) ammo supplies (2) bombs supplies (3) mortar rounds supplies and lastly, those brand new M-16 and M-14? Likewise, government should account for those guns which the PNP gave to vigilantes in Mindanao. Who is the financier of all these?

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About The Author: Patricio Mangubat is a pseudonym. It means "country fight". Yet, the one behind this name is real. He can be briefly described as a long-time activist as well as a communication strategist. He blogs at The New Philippine Revolution.

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19 Responses to “Who Profits From The War in Mindanao?”

  1. retsyrets on August 23rd, 2008 6:35 pm

    Patricio M.

    The war in Mindanao inflicted pains and hatred.
    For the people in Maguindanao where the war still present now in a minute, it is definite that they reap only total destruction. They could never find any degree of avenue towards fostering there usual life just for instance cultivating farm & so forth. The war as real as it is do hampered their daily ventures for good life.

    In there hearts there is Fear and they could not combat that fear, it will be forever in there psyche. This people are the most humiliated & exploited. Thus, they lost their livelihood and even their dignity.

    Who profits??? will, war is a costly thing it involve a huge amount of money. The GRP invest a sum of money intended only for this.

    Both party spent so much. Just if we’re going to recall the Phil. History regarding the Spanish Expedition it involved huge amount but it only paved the way in the context of christianity & it is quite beneficial to all Filipinos.

    The question who will profit is still not answered. Certainly, I do adhere that the allies of PGMA will merit for her trust & confidence. Therefore, it will brought rewards on their part.

  2. Dean Jorge Bocobo on August 23rd, 2008 11:17 pm

    Answer: Malaysia.

  3. Noel on August 25th, 2008 3:32 am

    Answer: P.B. Dionisio. Also a Mindanao governor whose brother is also a mayor.

  4. AdB on August 25th, 2008 9:46 am

    Malaysia Profits From The War in Mindanao.

  5. retsyrets on August 26th, 2008 1:01 am

    DJB: Absolutely right. Their intervention in pursuing the signing of the MOA and in facilitating the MOA towards forcing the MILF to have its expanded juridical entity is a definite manifestation. Because they had their personal interests in Mindanao & it is to many to mention.

  6. Noel on August 28th, 2008 6:26 pm

    Where is the MILF getting the money to spend?

    VAT funds Pinas soldiers. Who funds the MILF?

  7. Manuel L. Quezon III on August 28th, 2008 9:07 pm

    […] and this includes what the Americans know all too well includes lining generals’ pockets (see Who Profits From The War in Mindanao? | Filipino Voices). It wouldn’t even really help the American arms industry. Not much money to be gained with […]

  8. Current » Wrapped in the flag on August 28th, 2008 9:19 pm

    […] and this includes what the Americans know all too well includes lining generals’ pockets (see Who Profits From The War in Mindanao? | Filipino Voices). It wouldn’t even really help the American arms industry. Not much money to be gained with […]

  9. the jester-in-exile on August 28th, 2008 9:27 pm

    on foreign arms supply of milf: it makes a strong case for a stronger navy and coast guard.

    on state-sponsored arms supply of afp: at this point, i don’t really care. after the boots finish walking on the mi, we can hem and haw over the cost.

    mission first. accounting later.

  10. retsyrets on August 28th, 2008 11:50 pm

    Jester:
    Absolutely……

  11. Patricio Mangubat on August 29th, 2008 5:54 pm

    agree on all points. i think esperon would profit for the P 2.5 billion pesos released by the defense department

  12. the jester-in-exile on August 29th, 2008 10:13 pm

    off topic: “the context of christianity & it is quite beneficial to all Filipinos…”

    really?

  13. Bencard on August 29th, 2008 11:34 pm

    nothing is free. as the cliche goes “there’s no free lunch”. even the poorest of the poor has to buy the bolt to lock his door and fight home invaders to protect his and his family’s lives.
    spending on adequate armaments for defense and law enforcement is a necessary evil that every government must make.

    who profits from such a war? the victor and, therefore, the government must win for all the law-abiding people of the land. as to the criminal profiteers, let them be identified, prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

  14. danilo u. ignacio on September 2nd, 2008 11:44 am

    Malaysia, benefits from the Mindanao war? if that is so, it shall never offer itself to lead the IMT. undeniably, with the presence of the IMT, even local pocket wars were minimized and contained so they did not usually spill over in Central Mindanao unlike before. Meanwhile, has there been AK-47, AK-49, AK-50s, 105mm, 155mm, howitzers, National Bombs, etc., etc., made in Malaysia? What about those “civilized worlds” which can not eliminate their national Defense Programs, hence armaments proliferation around the world? We all know the politics here. It isn’t just powered only by the greed for control over the global market but also the monopoly over their production. and who are these people behind these conspiracy, always running after scripted presence of WMD? we know them who are always generous behind foreign grants and adamant behind war against terrorism. and they got local conduits everywhere, including here in the Philippines.

  15. danilo u. ignacio on September 2nd, 2008 12:01 pm

    i think DJB here needs to step down from his creaky-creepy cobwebbed physicist’s arm chair-a pirated clone of Einstein’s, and scouts himself the ground so he knows even the cheap but real thing about the Mindanao war, not just rely upon “unimpeachable source” so far away from truth and conscience.

  16. john jarabelo on September 17th, 2008 7:05 pm

    War in Mindanao always started by the MUSLIMS.
    1.NUR MISUARI-FOUNDER OF MOCLO MNLF in the 70’s he studied in UP,diliman. Got a knowledge from the Library & build the MNLF, he got his MILLIONS FUNDS from KHADAFY in LIBYA.
    2.ABU SAYAF- Ex MNLF,withdraw from Nur Misuari group coz they realised they are fighting the war in MINDANAO nothing happens coz Nur Misuari,their founder & leader pocketed & used the MILLIONS OF FUNDS for his own galante life.He lives in a Manila hotel,he bought his own cars,with bodyguards, he can afford to buy his delicious food & clothes while all muslims in Mindanao are still poor & dying in poverty,including his MNLF followers.Well, this is how Nur Misuari’s vision not for Mindanao or for muslims or MNLF, its for his ownself.He never fought the war by himself, he is always HIDING,playing SAFE.
    WHERE THIS ABU SAYAF BUY THEIR WEAPONS? Most of the tausogs buy it from the MILITARY,CAMP CRAME.The military is selling weapons & bullets to the muslims to use in Mindanao.Its the Philippine Army are selling & supplying the weapons & bullets to the ABU SAYAF & MILF.It’s business, a big business.
    Nur Misuari-Is doing a business also,Libya gave him millions & he pocketed it for himself-self interest leader.
    Army, Camp crame-sold bullets,armalites,
    dynamites to the ABU SAYAF & MILF-its big business-self interest. NOW EVERYBODY KNOWS,WHAT ABOUT THE GOVT OF ARROYO, ARE THEY GOING TO INVESTIGATE THIS?HAH.

  17. danilo u. ignacio on September 18th, 2008 2:05 pm

    john jarabelo, perhaps some parts of your post here are true. but your assertion that “muslims started the war in mindanao” is historically unfounded. go back to your history lessons, even as far as during your primary years. who imported these wars here in Mindanao? Who had been instrumentalized by foreign colonizers to perpetuate the conflict againts the Moro people? you can start it even at the coming of conquistadorez who enslaved your forebears there in manila and visayas. perhaps, you’re just reading “bulantoys” instead of knowing deeper about the real issue when you indiscriminately lump together the MILF with Abu Sayyafs and other KFRGs which are all created as pet projects of military psyche-war experts and mercenaries just to prolong this war here. Now, if you say that it is the military which supplies armaments to the MILF then whether you’ve got a problematic mind if it is wrong or your government is making fool of you there if it is true. to stop this government’s madness you call business, then stop paying your taxes.

  18. Abu Shagara on September 29th, 2008 3:00 am

    —if there’s WAR happened..

    –>>ASK THE JEWISH PEOPLE..THE YAHOODI..thanks!

  19. Patricio Mangubat on November 22nd, 2008 1:55 pm

    Hey, people! Gloria has just given Teodoro 2 billion pesos to obliterate the Bangsamoro People!

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