Press Release
August 25, 2008

CHIZ WANTS A UNIFIED CAFGU IN MINDANAO

To prevent the rise of vigilantism in Mindanao, Senator Chiz Escudero wants the formation of Christian-Muslim CAFGU units that will multitask as guardians of the environment.

Escudero said the government should tap the P231 million budgets for the recruitment of additional CAFGU men this year in forming mixed Christian-Muslim community defense units.

The senator said forming Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units out of "qualified and morally upright" members of a community and later placing them under Army control and discipline is a better option than allowing civilians to self-arm and group themselves into "unaccountable vigilantes."

"If we cannot stop their desire to protect their communities, then we might as well channel their vigilance into something that is legal and organized," Escudero said

Escudero said CAFGUs are allowed to be formed under the Republic Act 7077. The Citizens Armed Forces Act of 1991 authorizes the formation of firearms-bearing "military auxiliary services" from among residents of areas under "local insurgency threat."

As of last year, there were 52,783 CAFGUs in the Army rolls. 8,400 will be added this year courtesy of a P231million allocation by Congress in the P50 billion budget of the AFP for 2008.

Escudero said the military should "focus and prioritize" its CAFGU recruitment in villages recently attacked by the MILF or those under constant threat by the rebel group.

Noting that the MILF rampages victimized Christians and Muslims alike, Escudero said the CAFGU units to be formed in these "frontline" areas should be a "united front of Muslims, Christians and Lumads, an ecumenical force of good."

Drawing CAFGU personnel from the residents themselves is the best guarantee against abuse "because no one would be oppressing their own people," he said. "And they fight best if it is for friends and family."

Because CAFGU personnel receive a subsistence allowance of P2, 700 a month, putting "village sentinels" under government payroll would also serve as an "emergency employment program" in areas where "lawlessness aggravates joblessness," Escudero explained.

"This is better than outright cash dole out. It's basically a food-for-work scheme. Since most of them are farmers, they would need money to plant again. But instead of using what little savings they have as a down payment for a paltik, they can get guns, training and pay from the government, "Escudero said.

Escudero warned "mass distribution" of guns to civilians without the corresponding training, or organization that would impose accountability and discipline is a scheme that would backfire."

"There are no control mechanisms and, worse, recipients of guns will go his own way when it takes a whole village to protect it from harm, "he said.

Those who hand out handguns are those who probably believe that "if you airdrop musical instruments in a place, the farmers who will get them will automatically play symphony music," Escudero said.

Aside from guarding their communities, Escudero said CAFGUs can "work double time as guardians of the environment, they can plant trees or work in government infrastructure programs, for which they can get additional pay."

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