Pro-Government Militias
Kuratong Baleleng (Philippines)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: | no |
| PGM ID Number: | 573 |
| Country: | Philippines |
| Date formed: | Jan. 1, 1986 |
| Accuracy of date formed: | decade |
| Details of Formation: | Sources disagree on when the group was founded, but agree how it was founded. Evidence on date of formation suggests dates ranging from the 1970s to 1987. The group was set up with the help of the military, and most sources mention that its later leader Octavio Ongkoy Parojinog was involved already in the group’s creation. |
| Date dissolved: | June 1, 1988 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: | month |
| Details of Termination: | The group was officially disbanded by the military in 1988 after the threat of Communist rebels waned and additionally, the Kuratong Baleleng became more involved in criminal activity. This coincided with President Corazon Aquino’s order to disband all vigilante groups nationwide. The group splintered and its different factions continued to engage in many criminal activities including robbery and drug trafficking. These criminal groups are reportedly supported by some politicians and military members, but are rejected by higher-level politicians and military ranks. |
| Termination Type(s): | government defects |
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): | none |
| Successor group(s): | none |
| Private Military Company? | no |
| Former Group? | no |
| Former Armed Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? | no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: | informal (type 1) |
| Created by the Government?: | yes | Main Creating Government Institution: | military |
| Government Link(s): | military (institution) |
| If link to party, name of party: | None |
| Training and Equipment: | yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: | no information |
| Shared Personnel: | no information |
| Type(s) of Material Support: | domestic government; plunder and loot; military; crime |
| State Sponsor(s): | none |
| Other Connection(s): | Additionally, financial support by Chinese businessmen and other residents |
Group Characteristics
| Membership: | no information |
| Primary Membership: | unclear |
| Alternative Primary Membership: | no information |
| Location: | Northwestern Mindanao (Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte) |
| Force Strength: | [66, 316] |
| Target(s): | rebels, insurgents, or other armed group |
| Purpose(s): | fight insurgents |
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Membership: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Purpose: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: | not applicable |
Other Information
| Other Information: |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: | Kuratong Baleleng was formed as a counterinsurgency force to counter the growing influence of communist rebels. It was considered very effective and successful in fighting ACPU members and defusing the NPA’s mass base in Ozamiz City. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use | unknown |
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: | Kuratong Baleleng allegedly had an “official” death list of human rights activists, church workers and government officials. It was accused of executions and being responsible for disappearances. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: | kidnapping/abductions; killing |
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? | no information |
| PGM Members Paid? | no information |
| Reasons for Membership: | Kuratong Baleleng members shared their loots with residents of the communities and thereby obtained admiration and trust. |
| PGM Members Killed? | no information |
PGM Size
| Size: | By August 1987, the movement claimed 66 members. At the time of the group being disbanded in 1988 it was reported to have 316 members. |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: | Kuratong Baleleng received weapons from the Souther Command military headquarters in Zamboanga City; another news source says in more general terms that the government issued them firearms. In 1988, when officially dissolved, the PGM was armed with 65 high-powered rifles from the military’s armory. According to one news source, Kuratong Baleleng received financial support from businesses and local residents and used these resources to buy equipment needed for its operations. |
Organisation
| Organisation: | Kuratong Baleleng was led by Octavio Ongkoy Parohinog, a former CHDF commander. According to one news source, Parohinog had been appointed by Army Maj. Franco Calanog, who had formally organized the PGM. Kuratong Baleleng was officially under the supervision of the Philippine Army's 101st Battalion based in Misamis Occidental. It also had links to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF). It received special commendations by the government, and its status with military authorities emboldened its members to plunder and loot local residents with impunity. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Evidence
- Examine the evidence for this coding.