Tabak chief cites CAFGU’s role in IPSP implementation

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – Tabak commander Brigadier General (BGen.) Gerardo Barrientos Jr. on Friday lauded the 5^th Infantry (Duty Bound) battalion assisting the infantry division in the implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) or “Bayanihan.”

Speaking during the 65^th founding anniversary of the battalion, Barrientos said “the cadre unit is responsible for training the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGUs) as force multipliers to army troops in the conduct of its internal security operations.”

“The cadres composed of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) handling the 5,800 CAFGU members in the area underwent tough and rigorous trainings. They are not like ordinary soldiers. They are fully, completely trained and educated as far as military training is concerned,” Barrientos elucidated. 

The 5^th IB covers the area of Lanao Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur.

Barrientos said: “it is the cadres who trained CAFGU members to help the regular forces protect our county. After the training, CAFGUs are deployed in their respective communities so that they could easily accomplish their mission.”

The Tabak commander also recognized the vital role of CAFGUs saying “they are the ones giving information to their cadres since they have access to the different areas, have complete knowledge of the terrain, and they are the direct contacts in the community.”

“CAFGUs have the advantage in protecting their villages from outside threats as they are more familiar with their own communities,” Barrientos added.

Barrientos encouraged the cadres to motivate the CAFGU members for them to continuously support the community.

As a motivation to CAFGU members, Barrientos announced the increase in their subsistence allowance. In return he expects the CAFGU members to render their services efficiently.

In a related development, 5^th IB commander Lieutenant Colonel James Aseron underscored the crucial role of CAFGU members in the accomplishment of their mission.

“The CAFGUs play a vital role in protecting the communities since our regular troops could not cover the entire area in the Philippines. They are the ‘stay-behind forces’ and our first responders in times of calamities,” Aseron explained.

“As we celebrate our founding anniversary, I urged the troopers and CAFGU members to heartily serve the country in order to attain peace,” urged Aseron.