Biazon dismisses allegations of MILF weapons factory as “hard to believe”

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MANILA — Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon laughed off allegations that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been assembling firearms in its own weapons manufacturing factory in the mountains of Mindanao.

Biazon expressed disbelief over the claim of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the existence of the alleged MILF weapons factory, pointing out that even the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which has the legal status and funding to produce weapons, could not do it.

“That is very difficult to believe. Why? [Because] even our own arsenal cannot produce their weapons, especially sophisticated weapons. Puwede silang mag-manufacture niyan pero iyong pugakang (crude shotgun),” said Biazon, a former Marine general and former Armed Forces chief before becoming a senator for three terms.

He added: “If the Armed Forces have to buy their firearms and ammunition, how can the MILF produce something that our own arsenals cannot?

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On Thursday, Marcos insisted that a substitute Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is necessary to strengthen the decommissioning of MILF arms and weapons, which he alleged were made locally in the Moro group’s weapons manufacturing factory.

But Biazon said that for practical reasons, he could not agree with Marcos, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Local Governments that is tackling the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

“I don’t know, maybe Senator Marcos is receiving information from someone. But to me, my position on the manufacturing of weapons is simply practicality. If your arsenal cannot produce the weapon, how can the MILF produce it?” he stressed.

The MILF on June 16 turned over some 75 high-powered and crew-serve weapons and decommissioned 145 of its combatants to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) as concrete proof of their sincerity to end conflict and bring lasting peace in Mindanao.

At the same time, Biazon said he would ask Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the adhoc committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law of the House of Representatives, to allow discussions on issues that need to be explained further about the proposed law when Congress resumes sessions on July 27.

“I think this debate is important to be followed by media so that the issues can be explained to the people. Ano bang pinag-uusapan diyan kasi ang problema sa debate na iyan may kani-kaniyang posisyon diyan. And these differing positions need to be developed into a consensus so that a law can be passed,” he explained.

The HOR will continue its plenary deliberations on the BBL, a priority agenda of the Aquino administration, when Congress resumes session on July 27.