Lawmaker calls for probe on politicians using Cafgus as bodyguards

MANILA, Philippines—Six months before the elections, Muntinlupa Representative Rodolfo Biazon is urging Congress to conduct an investigation on politicians and warlords using “civilian soldiers” as their private armies or bodyguards to maintain their stranglehold in their provinces.

Biazon said this investigations should kickstart the cleansing process of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu), which remained as the most viable option to expand at a lower cost and at a  faster pace the country’s defense forces.

“We want to see whether there is any basis to reports that Cafgus are being used as private armed groups some of whom are involved in killings and other illegal activities,” said Biazon.

“We have to determine whether the original intent for the CAFGU is still being observed. There is a need to clarify the mission, composition, training, funding, control and supervision of Cafgus,” said Biazon.

Cafgus were formed in 1987 by then President Corazon Aquino—through Executive Order 264 and Republic Act 7077—as a complementary force to the military’s fight against insurgency in the countryside. Calls had been made to abolish Cafgus, estimated at having more than 70,000 members, due to widespread reports of human rights abuses.

Biazon said Congress should amend the Cafgu charter in order to stem the abuses and maximize these so-called citizen forces to boost the ranks of the military especially in crisis situations.

“I think the best way to go for the military is to expand by mobilizing more Cafgu personnel instead of hiring more regular soldiers. Cafgus are easier to maintain because they have no future cost (retirement benefits). They only need more effective training, organization and control,” said Biazon.