Small Arms Survey. 2001 ‘Illicit Production - South East Asia.’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem, p. 46. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1 July

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Illicit production of small arms occurs throughout South East Asia. In countries such as Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand, most illicit production is geared towards simple, low technology and low quality hunting rifles. However, in the Philippines, illicit production has become an important industry, providing arms for local criminal elements, as well as in other countries such as Japan.

Most of the illicit production in the Philippines is centred in the South, in Cebu and Danao, although there have been reports of arms production in Sara as well. There has been some discussion with the government on trying to control illicit production by granting licences to organizations such as the Worker's League of Danao Corporation, which acts on behalf of a number of individual gunsmiths.

Groups operating in countries such a Myanmar and the Philippines are also known to have the capacity to produce various types of small arms. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) alters rifles and produces rocket-propelled grenade launchers and shells, as well as anti-aircraft guns. The Karen National Liberation Army and Karenni Army operating in eastern Myanmar are known to have produced landmines and mortars. The former Mong Thai Army had a foundry and weapons production centre at its base in Shan State until it capitulated to the Myanmar government in 1996.

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