About this Video

• Video Title: Inside the Philippines’ Ghost Gun Trade
• Channel: Andrew Fraser
• Speakers: Andrew Fraser, Rico (gunsmith)
• Duration: 00:24:23

Introduction

This video investigates the Philippines' ghost gun trade, focusing on the town of Den, a major hub for underground gunsmiths. The video follows Andrew Fraser as he embeds himself within the community, learning the process of crafting untraceable firearms and exploring the economic and social factors driving this clandestine industry.

Key Takeaways

• Den's ghost gun industry: Den is a significant center for the production of homemade, untraceable firearms (ghost guns) in the Philippines, employing thousands of underground gunsmiths. These guns are distributed throughout the Philippines and internationally.
• The process of ghost gun manufacturing: The video shows the process of creating a ghost gun, highlighting the minimal tools and reliance on skill and experience. The process involves significant hand-filing and metalworking.
• Economic and social factors: The industry thrives due to the high cost and difficulty of obtaining legally registered firearms in the Philippines. For many gunsmiths, it's a deeply ingrained family tradition and primary source of income. Over 20% of Den's population relies on this trade.
• Legal alternatives and government response: The Philippine government's attempts to provide legal alternatives have largely failed, due to bureaucratic hurdles and insufficient incentives. The lack of legal options keeps the ghost gun trade flourishing.
• Consequences of the ghost gun trade: Ghost guns from Den are used in various crimes, including political assassinations, drug wars, election violence, and extrajudicial killings across the Philippines and even internationally (Japan and the US).