Troops eye ex-NPA rebels for proposed Cagfu unit

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 17, 2021): Troops eye ex-NPA rebels for proposed Cagfu unit (By Richelyn Gubalani)

Government troops are planning to tap former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who have surrendered and availed of the reintegration program for the proposed new auxiliary force that would operate in parts of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Lt. Col. Edgardo Vilchez, commanding officer of the Army’s 38th Infantry Battalion, said Wednesday the discussions are underway with rebel returnees from this city and nearby Sarangani province for their enlistment as members of the Citizen’s Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu).

He said they are currently pushing for the establishment of a new Cafgu company for the area that will be composed of 85 to 100 members.

The official said they have submitted a request to their higher headquarters for the creation of the additional unit to help protect communities in the municipalities of Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum (Makima) in Sarangani and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat.

“We will prioritize our rebel returnees to compose this Cafgu company so we’re hoping that this request will be granted,” he said in a report.

Vilchez said the former NPA rebels would be a big help in terms of securing the area since they are already familiar with the terrain and conditions of local communities.

They could also assist in convincing the remaining active combatants of the communist terrorist group to also surrender and lead normal lives, he said.

Authorities earlier said the NPA units in the area, which is under the Front 73 of the Far South Mindanao Revolutionary Committee, have been significantly decimated in the last two years due to the series of mass surrenders by their cadres, supporters and militia members.

Citing accounts from former rebel returnees, Vilchez said the active regular combatants of the remaining NPA units operating in the Makima area and Palimbang have gone down to less than 40, with only 19 reportedly carrying firearms.

He said they are currently validating such report in coordination with local police units.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1130923