MANILA, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been diverting since 2003 millions of dollars in foreign development aid for depressed Muslim communities in Mindanao to build a strong army.
Sources said the MILF leadership has been using donations to the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) to procure modern weapons, munitions, communication equipment and uniforms for its fighters in Mindanao.
“BDA is now being suspected of having diverted huge livelihood grants for the past two years to rebuild the MILF’s military after having been weakened in the armed conflicts in 2000 and in 2003,” the source, who declined to be named, said.
The MILF’s BDA has been receiving various livelihood grants from foreign donors, including the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) since its creation on June 2, 2002. BDA also receives donations from most Islamic states.
Since it is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, BDA is not allowed to receive foreign grants.
Reports of the funds’ alleged misuse has prompted some non-government organizations to seek an audit of the financial aid.
The source said video footage of Commander Abdullah “Bravo” Macapaar and his men dressed in full combat uniforms when attacking five towns in Lanao del Norte on Monday, proved that the MILF has funds for weapons and materiel.
The MILF rebels, the source said, are now equipped with ultra high frequency radio sets, new M14-assault rifles and other modern weapons.
The rebels, he added, seem to never run out of munitions for their caliber .30 and caliber .50 machineguns.
“We could only wonder where the MILF are getting the money to procure their logistics,” another source said.
He said some of the firearms of the MILF rebels are more advanced than those of government troops.
Although the military has air superiority and has heavy weapons and equipment, the MILF rebels are now more prepared to face security forces in ground combat.
BDA’s office is inside the MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat.
“Peace advocacy groups are now calling for an in-depth review of the funds international donors have given the BDA as livelihood assistance for poor Muslim communities in areas where the MILF has guerrilla camps,” the source said.