Duterte signs order granting financial aid to CAFGUs

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 69 on Monday, giving financial aid to members of Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units, militia units that assist the military in counterinsurgency operations. 

The EO grants P7,000 in monthly cash assistance to members of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary for November and December.

"There is a need to provide financial support to members of the CAA units, in recognition of the invaluable assistance they provide to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in dealing with internal and external security threats," the executive order read.

The order clarified that only “duly-appointed” CAA members appearing in the roster maintained by the AFP should receive the financial support. Those who are still undergoing training, but have been appointed may still receive a portion of the financial support.

According to a Philippine Information Agency article in May, CAFGUs "are entitled to free health care, an initial clothing allowance, and a stipend of P4, 500.00 monthly." It also said that CAFGUs "have the advantage in protecting their barangays from immediate threats as they are more familiar with their own communities."

The EO was one of two executive orders Duterte signed related to counterinsurgency operations, particularly against the communist New People's Army.

READ: Duterte signs ‘whole-of-nation‘ EO vs insurgency

Through Executive Order No. 70, the president institutionalized his “whole-of-nation” approach in aiming for peace with the communist rebels.

“There is a need to create a national task force that will provide an efficient mechanism and structure for the implementation of the whole-of-nation approach to aid in the realization of the collective aspiration of the Filipino people to attain inclusive and sustainable peace,” the order read.

EO 70 addresses threats to the state by prioritizing and harmonizing basic services delivery and social development packages in conflict-affected areas and vulnerable communities.

The executive orders on ending the long-running communist insurgency comes a week after presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo expressed little hope that peace talks could restart between the administration and the Communist Party of the Philippines.

READ: Is peace process hopeless under Duterte admin? 'Most likely,' says Panelo

The administration's support for CAFGUs comes despite criticism over the armed civilian units.

While CAFGUs were set up with the intent to provide auxiliary support to sanctioned military operations, instances of militiamen acting as private armies of political clans have been well documented. Following the Maguindanao massacre in 2009—also called the Ampatuan massacre—20 CAFGU members were arrested for suspected involvement in the mass killing of 58 people, including 34 journalists.

On October 9, a panel in the House of Representatives called for the deactivation of CAFGUs in Mindanao during the election period.

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Pampanga) filed House Resolution 2188 in September urging the deactivation of the paramilitary units, saying they "[raise] an alarming concern given the common knowledge that politicians have the natural tendency to resort to the use of guns, goons and gold in order to get advantage in an electoral contest."

Arroyo added, “the continuing activation and deployment of all LGU-sponsored CAAs during the period of elections poses more of a threat to the free exercise of democratic process rather than addressing security threat. — with reports from Alexis Romero/The STAR