Dismantling private armies

Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales said the Philippines has more than 157 private armies with 1 million loose firearms. The Inquirer is correct--that is more than enough firepower to start a nationwide war. Malacanang just ordered the creation of a commission to investigate and recommend measures.

The defense department already knows that there are 157 private armies, why build a commission and investigate when the government already has sufficient data to prosecute those with private armies?

Time for government to act and act with haste since it is just four months away from the May 10,2010 elections. Time for Malacanang to enforce the law and sweep these armies away from Philippine politics.

Under the Constitution, there are only two agencies of government legally tasked to constitute the State security apparatus---the AFP and the PNP. It is unlawful for anybody to maintain armed groups other than these two. So, what more?

More than the issue of legality or enforcement of law, dismantling private armies is also a decisive political action. If government elects to do its job, it would be instrumental in equalizing the political situation, particularly in the provinces. We already know that traditional political clans maintain their power thru the use or the threat to use firepower. If government moves in and dismantle the private armies of these political clans, then, they lose power. They also lose the ability to influence the conduct of the elections, which would enable new political groups to defeat them in the polls.