The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade will soon deploy 120 Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit members in Negros Occidental.

Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said the 120 new CAFGUs will replace those who had been either dismissed, or resigned from the military service.

The 120 CAFGUs graduated Wednesday from basic military training at Camp Major Nelson Gerona in Murcia, which included an orientation on the human rights law and International Humanitarian Law.

Lactao reminded the new CAFGU members to remain disciplined.

CAFGUs serve as the territorial forces of the Philippine Army in barangays under the influence of the New People’s Army, or being threatened by rebel expansion, he said.

About 1,500 CAFGUs assisting the Philippine Army in their peace and security campaign in Negros island, are supervised by the 12th Infantry (CADRE) Battalion.

Lactao stressed the importance of CAFGUs in their security campaign because they are “indigenous” in nature and can combat the NPA rebels who are acknowledged to have an edge in territorial familiarity over Army soldiers.* GPB

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