Cattle/Carabao-rustling in Lanao Cattle/Carabao-rustling in Lanao del Norte: A case studydel Norte: A case study

International AlertInternational AlertVerna Dinah Q. ViajarVerna Dinah Q. Viajar

Introduction Introduction Cattle-rustling occur widely across the pastoral Cattle-rustling occur widely across the pastoral

provinces in the Philippines such as in the provinces in the Philippines such as in the Cordillera regions, Benguet, Isabela, Camarines, Cordillera regions, Benguet, Isabela, Camarines, Iloilo and major provinces in Mindanao such as Iloilo and major provinces in Mindanao such as Davao, Bukidnon and the Lanao provinces. Davao, Bukidnon and the Lanao provinces.

In the Cordilleras, cattle-rustling is considered as In the Cordilleras, cattle-rustling is considered as serious as murder and perceived similarly as one serious as murder and perceived similarly as one of the “heavier crimes because it has become too of the “heavier crimes because it has become too common and damaging to rural Cordillera common and damaging to rural Cordillera villages, whose economies rely on cattle and villages, whose economies rely on cattle and livestock.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer Online, July 2, livestock.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer Online, July 2, 2011). 2011).

Introduction… con’t.Introduction… con’t.

In Iloilo, prominent families are said to be behind In Iloilo, prominent families are said to be behind the cattle-rustling cases in the province of the cattle-rustling cases in the province of Cabatuan, Iloilo according to the Director of Iloilo Cabatuan, Iloilo according to the Director of Iloilo Provincial Police Office. (24 March 2009, The Provincial Police Office. (24 March 2009, The News Today). News Today).

In Mindanao, armed lumad groups based in In Mindanao, armed lumad groups based in Kitaotao, Bukidnon reportedly engaged in cattle-Kitaotao, Bukidnon reportedly engaged in cattle-rustling and banditry in the late 1990s which was rustling and banditry in the late 1990s which was then led by a former Vice-Mayor of Kitaotao. then led by a former Vice-Mayor of Kitaotao.

Introduction… con’t.Introduction… con’t.

Recently in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, a report Recently in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, a report of cattle-rustling claimed the lives of 2 cattle-of cattle-rustling claimed the lives of 2 cattle-rustlers and a farmer when a gunfight ensued rustlers and a farmer when a gunfight ensued between the armed farmers and cattle-rustlers between the armed farmers and cattle-rustlers (Inquirer Mindanao, Sept. 22, 2011). (Inquirer Mindanao, Sept. 22, 2011).

Beginning 2009, cattle-rustling is now classified Beginning 2009, cattle-rustling is now classified as an index crime by the Philippine National as an index crime by the Philippine National Police Police (Index crimes are grave crimes and are considered highly (Index crimes are grave crimes and are considered highly

probable to occur with casualties and regularity).probable to occur with casualties and regularity).

Introduction… con’t.Introduction… con’t. In the 2010 crime report in Lanao del Norte, In the 2010 crime report in Lanao del Norte,

cattle-rustling incidents account for 72 cases, the cattle-rustling incidents account for 72 cases, the same number of reported murder cases in the same number of reported murder cases in the province for that year. province for that year.

In certain areas in Muslim Mindanao, cattle-In certain areas in Muslim Mindanao, cattle-rustling is a major cause of local conflict. rustling is a major cause of local conflict.

preliminary investigation into the subject of preliminary investigation into the subject of cattle-rustling in Mindanao suggests a multi-cattle-rustling in Mindanao suggests a multi-faceted and complex phenomenon; a practice faceted and complex phenomenon; a practice that has persisted in decades and evolved that has persisted in decades and evolved through time. through time.

Cattle-rustling in Mindanao as a Cattle-rustling in Mindanao as a form of resistanceform of resistance

Cattle-rustling as a form of resistance Cattle-rustling as a form of resistance interconnected with land conflict and the broader interconnected with land conflict and the broader Mindanao conflict.Mindanao conflict.

Cattle-rustling is used to retaliate against land Cattle-rustling is used to retaliate against land taken from the Muslims especially after Estrada’s taken from the Muslims especially after Estrada’s war Mindanao in 2003.war Mindanao in 2003.

The attacks on the municipalities of Kauswagan The attacks on the municipalities of Kauswagan and Kolambugan in 2008 were also said to be a and Kolambugan in 2008 were also said to be a consequence of the previous war. At a time of consequence of the previous war. At a time of war, properties of “enemies are part of the war, properties of “enemies are part of the bounty of war” (Interview, August 7, 2011). bounty of war” (Interview, August 7, 2011).

Cattle-rustling in Mindanao as Cattle-rustling in Mindanao as result of breakdown in governance result of breakdown in governance

Cattle-rustling in Mindanao is also explained in Cattle-rustling in Mindanao is also explained in relation to the presence of conflict with the relation to the presence of conflict with the breakdown of governance, high poverty, and breakdown of governance, high poverty, and proliferation of loose firearms. proliferation of loose firearms.

Collier (2000) posits that criminality is likely to Collier (2000) posits that criminality is likely to increase at a time of conflict as the government increase at a time of conflict as the government decreases budget of the police and shift spending decreases budget of the police and shift spending to the military. to the military.

Cattle-rustling as instrument to sow Cattle-rustling as instrument to sow political instability political instability

Cattle-rustling in Mindanao is that it is considered Cattle-rustling in Mindanao is that it is considered an instrument of sowing political instability. an instrument of sowing political instability.

Especially after the local elections, intense Especially after the local elections, intense political rivalries result to cattle-rustling intended political rivalries result to cattle-rustling intended against the communities of winning political against the communities of winning political leaders to show ineffective governance and lack leaders to show ineffective governance and lack of control of the area. of control of the area.

Losing political candidates seized the properties Losing political candidates seized the properties of some community leaders that promised them of some community leaders that promised them votes but did not deliver. (Interviews, August 7, votes but did not deliver. (Interviews, August 7, 2011). 2011).

Cattle-rustling as enterprise in Cattle-rustling as enterprise in Mindanao’s informal economyMindanao’s informal economy

Stealing livestock requires a fair amount of Stealing livestock requires a fair amount of planning and coordination with economically-planning and coordination with economically-driven groups. Collusion among different ethnic driven groups. Collusion among different ethnic groups ensures the success of the operation.groups ensures the success of the operation.

A ‘Bisaya’ or non-Muslim may steal the cattle A ‘Bisaya’ or non-Muslim may steal the cattle itself from their communities in the coastal areas itself from their communities in the coastal areas and hand it over to Muslim cattle-rustlers who and hand it over to Muslim cattle-rustlers who then bring the livestock into the inner parts of then bring the livestock into the inner parts of Lanao del Norte. Lanao del Norte.

Cattle-rustling and “Cattle-rustling and “LianganLiangan”” Cattles/carabaos are hidden in ‘liangan’ areas where Cattles/carabaos are hidden in ‘liangan’ areas where

the animals are kept safe until such time they are the animals are kept safe until such time they are sold alive or slaughtered and sold back to the meat sold alive or slaughtered and sold back to the meat markets in the coastal municipalities.markets in the coastal municipalities.

““Liangan” is a Maranao term with multiple meanings. Liangan” is a Maranao term with multiple meanings.

From its beginnings, ‘liangan’ is a place, a safe place From its beginnings, ‘liangan’ is a place, a safe place or a haven. In the early part of Spanish colonization, or a haven. In the early part of Spanish colonization, ‘liangan’ is the historic defense post or natural ‘liangan’ is the historic defense post or natural fortress of the Muslim warriors, their last stand of fortress of the Muslim warriors, their last stand of resistance against the invading Spanish fleets. resistance against the invading Spanish fleets. Today, ‘liangan’ still connotes a safe haven, a Today, ‘liangan’ still connotes a safe haven, a protected place to secure properties, legally or protected place to secure properties, legally or illegally obtained. illegally obtained.

Cattle-rustling and “Cattle-rustling and “LianganLiangan”” The term ‘liangan’ further evolved into which that The term ‘liangan’ further evolved into which that

refers to persons or groups of persons that refers to persons or groups of persons that provide protection or security for properties, provide protection or security for properties, legally or illegally obtained. legally or illegally obtained.

A ‘liangan’ is the one you go to when your cattle A ‘liangan’ is the one you go to when your cattle is stolen. For a small amount for mobilization, is stolen. For a small amount for mobilization, they can bring back your stolen cattle, and if not, they can bring back your stolen cattle, and if not, they will pay for it. The cattle-rustlers also go to they will pay for it. The cattle-rustlers also go to the ‘liangan’ to protect their acquired properties.the ‘liangan’ to protect their acquired properties.

The ‘liangan’ also sequesters the properties that The ‘liangan’ also sequesters the properties that are deemed undeservedly acquired. are deemed undeservedly acquired.

Approaching cattle-rustlingApproaching cattle-rustling Cattle-rustling persists as part of Mindanao’s Cattle-rustling persists as part of Mindanao’s

‘shadow’ or informal economy. The concept ‘shadow’ or informal economy. The concept informal economy in this sense is informed based informal economy in this sense is informed based on Mac Gaffey’s (1991) discussion of the ‘second’ on Mac Gaffey’s (1991) discussion of the ‘second’ or ‘real’ economy that persists in the context of or ‘real’ economy that persists in the context of conflict and continues despite the risks of further conflict and continues despite the risks of further conflict. conflict.

The second economy according to Mac Gaffey The second economy according to Mac Gaffey refers to refers to “The second economy is here defined as “The second economy is here defined as economic activities that are unmeasured, economic activities that are unmeasured, unrecorded and, in varying degrees, illegal”unrecorded and, in varying degrees, illegal” (1991, p.9). (1991, p.9).

Approaching cattle-rustlingApproaching cattle-rustling Cattle-rustling becomes intertwined with the Cattle-rustling becomes intertwined with the

macro armed conflict and local inter-kin conflicts macro armed conflict and local inter-kin conflicts or ‘rido’ in Mindanao, or ‘rido’ in Mindanao,

Cattle-rustling is both an instrument of retaliation Cattle-rustling is both an instrument of retaliation and resistance, as well as a precursor of local, and resistance, as well as a precursor of local, inter-kin conflict or ‘rido’. inter-kin conflict or ‘rido’.

At a time of conflict, cattle-rustling becomes a At a time of conflict, cattle-rustling becomes a profitable enterprise from an alternative notion of profitable enterprise from an alternative notion of conflict written by Paul Collier (conflict written by Paul Collier (“Doing Well out of “Doing Well out of War”, War”, 2000). 2000).

Approaching cattle-rustlingApproaching cattle-rustling Collier (2000) argues that at a time of conflict or civil Collier (2000) argues that at a time of conflict or civil

war, certain economic agendas are concealed and in war, certain economic agendas are concealed and in which he said, which he said, “The true cause of much civil war is “The true cause of much civil war is not the loud discourse of grievance but the silent not the loud discourse of grievance but the silent force of greed.”force of greed.”

Four contexts in which civil war or conflict “create Four contexts in which civil war or conflict “create opportunities for profit”: (a) “life during civil war opportunities for profit”: (a) “life during civil war tends to become less predictable”; (b) “there is likely tends to become less predictable”; (b) “there is likely to be an increase in criminality”; (c) “markets during to be an increase in criminality”; (c) “markets during civil war become disrupted”; and (d) “the scope for civil war become disrupted”; and (d) “the scope for rent-seeking predation on trade increases for rebels rent-seeking predation on trade increases for rebels and may even increase government officials, as their and may even increase government officials, as their actions become less open to scrutiny.” actions become less open to scrutiny.”

Related literatureRelated literature It would be instructive to look at the study of It would be instructive to look at the study of

cattle-raiding in the Ethiopian Awash Valley cattle-raiding in the Ethiopian Awash Valley concerning the practice of cattle-raiding among concerning the practice of cattle-raiding among the pastoral communities involving the Karrayu the pastoral communities involving the Karrayu ethnic group; ethnic group;

Cattle raiding in the Awash Valley, is driven “by Cattle raiding in the Awash Valley, is driven “by symbolic, pecuniary and economic motives” symbolic, pecuniary and economic motives” (Mulugeta and Hagmann, p.74), cattle-raiding of (Mulugeta and Hagmann, p.74), cattle-raiding of the Karrayu is used as retaliatory method against the Karrayu is used as retaliatory method against prior attacks, acquire stolen stock, “replenish prior attacks, acquire stolen stock, “replenish decimated herds” or simply to intimidate the decimated herds” or simply to intimidate the enemy. enemy.

Related literatureRelated literature Identical to the Kuria cattle raiding along the Identical to the Kuria cattle raiding along the

Tanzania-Kenya border, Karrayu cattle-raiding Tanzania-Kenya border, Karrayu cattle-raiding has transformed from a primitive motivation of has transformed from a primitive motivation of showing the capacities of young warriors and showing the capacities of young warriors and strengthen group solidarity to the more vicious strengthen group solidarity to the more vicious “oft-times quite violent, cash-market-oriented “oft-times quite violent, cash-market-oriented enterprise” (Fleisher, 2000; Mulugeta and enterprise” (Fleisher, 2000; Mulugeta and Hagmann, 2008). Hagmann, 2008).

Eaton (2008) argues the same about the constant Eaton (2008) argues the same about the constant cattle raids and retaliations along the Kenya-cattle raids and retaliations along the Kenya-Uganda border involving the Pokot, Turkana and Uganda border involving the Pokot, Turkana and Karimojong communities.Karimojong communities.

Related literatureRelated literature

Eaton further argues that cattle raiding has Eaton further argues that cattle raiding has transformed from a harmless “traditional sport to transformed from a harmless “traditional sport to a predatory or commercial endeavor” (Eaton, a predatory or commercial endeavor” (Eaton, 2008, p.94). 2008, p.94).

He cited the penetration of market economy and He cited the penetration of market economy and the integration of neoliberal economics by the integration of neoliberal economics by Kenyan and Ugandan governments, as external Kenyan and Ugandan governments, as external factors that “led to dramatic changes in cattle-factors that “led to dramatic changes in cattle-raiding” towards a more opportunistic market-raiding” towards a more opportunistic market-oriented form of cattle-raiding. oriented form of cattle-raiding.

Further researchFurther research

This study will further look into the transformation This study will further look into the transformation of cattle-rustling and its evolving motivations of cattle-rustling and its evolving motivations through time. The interconnection of this through time. The interconnection of this phenomenon to the local and national conflicts in phenomenon to the local and national conflicts in Mindanao still needs to be fleshed out and Mindanao still needs to be fleshed out and interrogated. interrogated.

The impact and contribution of cattle-rustling into The impact and contribution of cattle-rustling into the informal or real economy of Mindanao will the informal or real economy of Mindanao will also be further examined in the context of a more also be further examined in the context of a more predatory and cash market oriented form of predatory and cash market oriented form of cattle-rustling. cattle-rustling.