Small arms and light weapons (SALW) is estimated at 640 million worldwide with the Philippines accounting for 1,110,372 loose firearms, the Geneva-based Graduate Institute of International Studies (GIIS) reported.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino I. Razon Jr. has supported the call by the United Nations to put an end to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, saying these weapons are “a threat to peace and development, to democracy and human rights.”

Razon issued the call at the just concluded forum on “Challenges to Peace and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR)” dealing on SALW problem.

He described the unabated proliferation of loose firearms as “man-made disasters” that must be stopped.

Ambassador Florencio D. Fianza, special envoy on transnational crime, and one of the speakers at the forum, said there are 16 billion rounds of ammunition from various calibers in circulation all over the world today “with an additional eight million new weapons entering the market each year.”

GIIS also said the SALW is responsible for over half a million deaths each year, including 300,000 in armed conflicts.

“Accumulation and proliferation of small arms and light weapons are serious threats to peace, stability and sustainable development,” Fianza said.

However, Fianza admitted the difficulties being encountered in establishing effective global and domestic arms control.

“Accounting cannot be easily established because of the globalized operation of arms companies whose components are sourced from across the world,” he said.

Another factor is the economic value of arms trade, he said, adding that “even with existing multilateral agreements, majority of states have not incorporated them into national law, or do not implement them consistently.”

On the other hand, statistics released by the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed that there are 1,110,372 loose firearms all over the country with the biggest concentration of unlicensed firearms estimated at 315,128 in National Capital Region (NCR), including 263,457 un-renewed licenses.

The second highest number of loose firearms placed at 114,189 is in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) where an active rebellion is being waged by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Police Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal said threat groups in the ARMM have in their possession 5,179 assorted firearms and criminal elements have 1,440 loose firearms.

Tagalog region or Region 4A has the third highest number of loose firearms totaling 101,758, followed by Central Luzon, 78,151; Central Mindanao, 62,718; Western Visayas, 52,759; Central Visayas, 52,732; Davao provinces, 49,178; Southwestern Mindanao, 45,974; Caraga Region, 43,960; Eastern Visayas, 43,409; Northern Mindanao, 42,231; Cagayan Valley, 32,326; Bicol Region, 28,587; Ilocos Region, 26,928; Cordillera Region, 11,628; and the lowest in Region 4B (Palawan and Mindoro), 8,779.

Citing the UN report, Razon pointed out that “small arms and light weapons destabilize regions; spark fuel and prolong conflicts; obstruct relief programs; undermine peace initiatives; exacerbate human rights abuses; hamper development; and foster a ‘culture of violence.’”

He said in countries under post-conflict period, “many of the problems arise from the continuing activities of armed groups and misuse of weapons.”

“Countries emerging from war are particularly at risk from the re-emergence of armed conflict, and also from widespread violence and intimidation,” he said.

Razon warned that small arms and light weapons that are excessively available is often a factor in the “escalation, intensity, spread and duration of conflict and violent criminality, which obstructs and undermines peace-building and humanitarian and development aid.”