The Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit, variously called Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit, Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit and commonly referred to by its acronym CAFGU (pronounced "kahf-goo") is an irregular auxiliary force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines focusing on anti-insurgency efforts in the countryside. As of 2022, an estimated 69,938 CAFGU troopers are active in the country, taking part in military operations alongside regular soldiers of the AFP.[1]
History edit
The CAFGU was created on July 25, 1987, when President Corazon C. Aquino signed Executive Order No. 264 entitled "Providing for the Citizen Armed Force".[2] The creation of the unit was based on the "clear, consolidate, hold and develop" strategy adopted by then-Defense Secretary Fidel V. Ramos in dealing with insurgent-infiltrated villages.[3]
CAFGU units are components of the AFP Ready Reserve detailed to Military Auxiliary Service. Article X, Sec. 61, sub-paragraph 2 of Republic Act 7077[4] describes this manner of service as follows:
Military auxiliary service entails services rendered in meeting local insurgency threat. Reservists serving under this category will be organized into Ready Reserve units. They must be issued and allowed to carry firearms: Provided, That these reservists will be utilized only for the defense of their respective localities and will not be employed outside their localities. Elected/appointed local government officials are expected to perform their duties and responsibilities in their respective peace and order council levels or similar organizations efficiently and effectively to enhance a total integrated system approach against threats to national security. The Secretary of National Defense shall prescribe the rules and regulations to implement this section in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.
In 1993, the Philippine government considered deactivating the CAFGU units due to allegations of human rights abuses; 60 CAFGU units comprising 10,000 troops were disbanded. However, in 1996, the government halted its program to completely disband the CAFGU units.[5] The Commission on Human Rights' records show that as of 2000, 853 human rights abuse cases have been filed against 1,070 CAFGU members.[6]
In 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte established a comprehensive social benefits program for CAFGU members, including the military and the police, who are killed in the performance of their duties.[7]
Organization edit
CAFGU units are administered by, and under the operational control of, regular units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Philippine Army infantry battalions assigned to this function are also referred to as "Cadre Battalions". Deactivation of CAFGU units assigned to these battalions result in the return of their status as regular infantry battalions.
The CAFGU units are tasked to prevent the re-infiltration of insurgents into communities that have already been cleared of their influence by combat operations conducted by regular units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The CAFGU units are issued small arms; typically M1 Garand, M-14, or M-16 rifles, and receive a monthly stipend of Php 4,500.00 (about US$92.43).
See also edit
Further reading edit
- Philippine Army History, The Philippine Army Museum.
- The Philippine Army Public Affairs Office, The Philippine Army: First 100 Years, 1997, OTAPA.
- The Special Forces School, Philippine Army Special Forces Operations Manual PAM 3-071, 2008, SFR(A).
- Pobre, Cesar P. (2006). History of the Armed Forces of the Filipino People. New Day Publishers.ISBN 9711010410.
References edit
- ^ Abasola, Leonel (September 27, 2022). "Solon seeks more benefits for WPS security forces, CAFGU members". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ "Executive Order No. 264". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. July 25, 1987. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ Ilagan, Aris R. (2008-08-21). "Over 1,000 shotguns sent to Mindanao for civilian volunteers". Manila Bulletin Online. Retrieved 2008-12-27. [dead link]
- ^ "ADROTH Project: Republic Act 7077, Article X - Utilization of the Reserve Force". Retrieved 2009-04-10.
- ^ Reyes, Danilo. "Policies arming civilians a product of vigilantism". Archived from the original on 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
- ^ "On the Revival of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units" (PDF). Commission on Human Rights. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
- ^ "Executive Order No. 110, s. 2020". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. April 7, 2020. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2024.