AFP welcomes directive to review conduct of CAFGUs

MANILA, Philippines –  The military yesterday welcomed the directive of President Aquino to review the conduct and supervision of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGUs) that would result in the improvement of the management of troops.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), however, is against the appeal of a militant group for the President to dismantle the CAFGUs, citing the volatile security situation in some areas.

“We welcome the development (review of CAFGU conduct). We would like to state the importance of this in personnel management,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said in an interview.

“Right now, there is an ongoing study for securing these forces, which includes the rationalization of and the restudy of the CAFGU concept,” he added.

Aquino ordered the review of CAFGU operations amid claims that some of these militia units are involved in human rights violations. The President said he wants to enhance the training of militiamen and to ensure that they are insulated from partisan politics.

The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) asked him to dissolve the militia units due to their supposed involvement in unexplained killings of government critics.

Mabanta said Bayan’s proposal is not doable given the security risks in some areas. He claimed that the reported abuses involving militiamen are “isolated cases.”

“It (Bayan proposal) is farfetched. As we are able to liberate areas from the influence of the enemy, we can’t just abandon them. The CAFGUs are there so our forces can move on to other sensitive areas,” Mabanta said.

Mabanta said they plan to place the CAFGUs under the Army’s Special Forces Regiment to improve their training. At present, Army infantry brigades supervise the militiamen in various areas.

“The strengthening of personnel management starts from recruitment and (in programs that promote) morale and welfare,” Mabanta said.

He said the AFP is in favor of proposals to increase the allowance of CAFGU members, who only receive P90 a day. The Army supervises about 50,000 militiamen.