Duterte wants more lumad recruited as CAFGUs
DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has given marching orders for the military to recruit more lumad to become members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in the wake of the killing of a datu and his son last week by members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The President even went as far as setting a bounty for each NPA who would be killed by government forces.
“Isang NPA mapatay ninyo, kayong mga lumad na maging CAFGU, I’ll pay you… you want money? I’ll give you money,” the President said in a briefing with reporters at the Matina Enclaves late Friday afternoon.
“I will make it 120,000 per head. Sige. Marami mang pera ang gobyerno. Kung magbayad kayo ng tax ninyo mas lalong marami ako (Go on. The government has so much money. If the NPA is getting so much from taxes, the government has so much more),” he stated.
Duterte appeared frustrated at the continuing actions of the rebel group, which he branded as terrorists through a presidential proclamation earlier this year.
The President had earlier said he was getting tired of hearing reports of rebels continuing to seek revolutionary taxes from businesses and homes in the countryside.
Along with the killings of police and military officers in the midst of several ceasefires, Duterte has repeatedly been ambiguous about his desire to return the government peace panel in talks with the political arm of the terrorist group.
Meanwhile, Duterte said that lumad fearing for their lives should just seek the protection of the military.
“In the meantime, they would just live near the camps of the military,” Duterte said.
“Or if they want, if they are well trained enough, give me about three months, I will train them as CAFGU and give them firearms and go out and hunt for those who killed their comrades.”
Duterte’s comments came after the NPA claimed that the two slain lumad two killed were “no heroes,” as the group took responsibility for the crime.
Killed were CAFGU leader Banadjao Mampaundag and son Jhonard, who was also a member of the CAFGU, in Sitio Igang, Brgy. Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on February 4.
“The two were armed and attempted to open fire against the Red fighters. Seized from them were .45 caliber pistol and a shotgun,” NPA southern Mindanao Regional Command spokesperson Rigoberto Sanchez said.
“Mampaundag was no hero or benevolent tribal leader of Talaingod but a longtime CAFGU member and rabid recruiter of the notorious Alamara paramilitary forces under the payroll of the 10th Infantry Division-AFP,” Sanchez said.
“He was responsible for crimes against the people such as land grabbing, theft and extortion, grave abuse, and a host of other human rights atrocities.”
“Despite appeals from his relatives and civilians in the community, he pushed for building a military detachment in the area and organized Alamara forces for counter-revolutionary and anti-people operations. Lumad villagers who refused to enlist in the Alamara and CAFGU training were ordered to leave their homes and farms. Mampaundag was also active in intelligence gathering and psychological warfare campaign in the area.”