MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro urged yesterday the government’s Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to look into funds being managed and handled by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) in the wake of reports that these are being diverted to rebels to build a strong army.
Teodoro said since 2003, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has reportedly been diverting for other purposes millions of dollars in foreign development aid intended for depressed Muslim communities in Mindanao through the BDA.
Teodoro said there is other information that MILF rebels are also enjoying outside financial support from foreign donors.
But he quickly added that “reports are different from the actual facts,” admitting that they have no evidence at hand to support the claim.
A senior military official, on the other hand, disclosed that foreign funds for development projects such as building irrigation canals were used by the MILF to dig fortified trenches instead in Mindanao.
“They constructed not for irrigation canals, but for their trenches,” said the official who asked not to be identified.
The BDA was created by virtue of the government’s-MILF Tripoli Agreement on Peace on June 22, 2001.
As agreed by both parties, the MILF, through its Central Committee resolution, formed the BDA to manage relief and rehabilitation programs in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.
For years since its creation, funds received by the agency have reportedly been used to strengthen the MILF forces by way of procuring modern weapons, ammunition, communication equipment, and uniforms for its fighters in Mindanao.
“The 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,” a source said.
The MILF’s BDA has been receiving various livelihood grants from foreign donors, including the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and Asian Development Bank (ADB) since its creation on June 2, 2002. The BDA also receives donations from most Islamic states.
Since it is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the BDA is not allowed to receive foreign grants.
But defense sources explained that being a government agency only managed by the MILF, there is no need for the BDA to be registered with the SEC to receive international or local grants.
“Basically, it’s a government agency. Aside from the AMLC, the Commission on Audit can always conduct an audit,” the source said.
Reports of the funds’ alleged misuse have 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 last 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 ammunition for their caliber .30 and caliber .50 machineguns.
“We could only wonder where the MILF (men) 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, heavy weapons, and equipment, MILF rebels are now more prepared to face security forces in ground combat.
The 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 to the BDA as livelihood assistance for poor Muslim communities in areas where the MILF has guerrilla camps,” the source said. – Jaime Laude