Illegal-arms trade rampant in Philippines

Police in the southern Philippines are fighting a losing battle against the proliferation of guns.

Many ordinary people are being caught in the crossfire between authorities, gangs and fighters trying to secure autonomy.

The government estimates that there are more than 100,000 loose, unregistered firearms in the country, most of which are believed to be circulating in the south, where even government security forces have been accused of participating in the illegal arms trade.

Al Jazeera’s Marga Ortigas reports from Maguindanao, in the southern Philippines.