Mindanao Politician's Army

Politicians in Mindanao are taking advantage of the current situation in the south to build their own private armed groups without the knowledge of the government.

Philippine National Police Director-General Avelino Razon bared this development in an interview aired over a Manila-based radio station on Sunday.

He said authorities would not allow such build up of private armed groups as that could further deteriorate the volatile situation in Mindanao.

"We have received such reports. And we will not allow indiscriminate arming of civilians," he told dzBB.

The police chief said some of these private armies were employed on a retainer basis by local politicians and businessmen who fear that armed Moro groups would take over their land.

Razon did not identify whether the politicians were Christians or Muslims.