AFP to recruit more CAFGUs despite calls for abolition

The military will recruit more militiamen amid calls for the abolition of government militia forces due to alleged abuses committed in the past, including allowing themselves to be used as private armies by wealthy political clans. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue with the utilization of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit. These are very important force multiplier in the conduct of our internal security operations," said Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo David at a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday. He said local government officials particularly in Mindanao have been requesting for the deployment of additional militiamen to defend their communities from threat groups. “Ask some of the government officials as well as the private citizens around, particularly in Mindanao. They need this (CAFGUs) very badly, additional CAFGUs. There are communications reaching my office. Most of the mayors are asking for additional CAFGUs in their areas," David said. Calls for the abolition of militia forces grew on the days leading to the first anniversary of the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao province that was blamed partly on government militiamen. On November 23, 2009, armed men, some of them militiamen, gunned down 57 people who were part of an electoral convoy allegedly upon orders from then Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., scion of the powerful Ampatuan family in Central Mindanao. David dismissed the calls, saying CAFGUs play a vital role in protecting the communities by complementing the limited number of soldiers deployed in the countryside. “We need them very badly particularly in the remote areas of the country," he said. At present, there are about 50,000 CAFGUs throughout the country, complementing about 120,000 regular forces of the AFP. A militiaman only gets a daily P90 in subsistence allowance, while the lowest ranking soldier receives a monthly pay of over P10,000. “[CAFGUs] is even a cheaper force that can be used in the defense of communities. What we only need is greater supervision among our commanders in the field," David said. David said the some of the abuses committed by the CAFGUs can be addressed by reform programs, specifically during training, to ensure that they would not influenced by people outside of the Armed Forces. “The CAFGUs are under the control of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and no way any civilian should undertake supervisions on these Cafgus," said David. - KBK, GMANews.TV