35,000 CAFGUs to be mobilized

Former militiaman Norberto Manero Jr.'s tribe will soon increase.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said yesterday President Estrada has agreed to mobilize at least 35,000 members of the paramilitary Citizens Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGUs) to boost the drive against communist and secessionist rebels.

Biazon, who chairs the Senate committee on national defense and security, said that during a meeting in Davao City Tuesday night, Mr. Estrada agreed to his proposal for the mobilization of 35,000 more militiamen to help contain the twin insurgencies.

"The President has agreed in principle to mobilize the CAFGUs," Biazon said.

He said the President approved the allocation of P1 billion for the operational expenses of the new CAFGU forces, which he said are easier and more economical to maintain than regular troops in strife-torn areas of the country.

Biazon also cited the important role played by properly trained and supervised CAFGUs, which he said could be a very effective deterrent against communist and secessionist rebels who have renewed their activities in many parts of the country.

Earlier, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile had sought the mobilization of CAFGUs during a visit to Central Mindanao after the Moro Islamic Liberation Front launched a series of attacks in several areas in the region.

With the activation of the 35,000 additional CAFGU members, the total number of paramilitary forces would rise to 67,000 all over the country.

The concept of CAFGUs was first conceived by the late President Ramon Magsaysay, who mobilized armed civilians against the Hukbalahap movement in Central Luzon in the early 1950s when he was defense secretary.

The original home defense forces were called Barrio Self-Defense Units during the martial law years. Then President Ferdinand Marcos created the controversial Civilian Home Defense Forces, of which convicted priest-killer Manero was a member in his native South Cotabato.

As a militiaman, Manero and his two brothers were allegedly responsible for the death of more than 200 villagers sympathetic to the communist movement.

Unlike regular government troops, CAFGUs are assigned only in specific areas and receive only allowances from the government. They undergo basic military training and are issued high-powered firearms to protect their respective areas of jurisdiction.