Friday, December 15, 2006 AFP recruits militiamen in Zamboanga By Bong Garcia
THE military’s Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) has started screening applicants to become members of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) that has been assisting the military in peace-keeping efforts in Zamboanga City.
TFZ Chief Mark Supnet disclosed that new members are being hired as the Cafgu companies in this city are already undermanned since some of them have died and retired while the rest have resigned.
Supnet said Cafgu serves as force multiplier since his command could not deploy personnel to guard all of the 98 barangays in this city.
He said the required number of militia force for this city is 15 companies consisting of more than 800 personnel distributed to all of the villages in the city.
Of the 15 militia companies, 11 are classified as Cafgu while the other four are known as Special Civilian Active Auxiliary (SCAA).
Cafgu are those who were issued firearms and being paid of their honorarium by the government while SCAA are those issued firearms by the government but their honorarium are being shouldered by the community where they served.
He said several barangay chairmen in this city have submitted lists of recommendees to become members of the militia force.
Militiamen serves as stationary force aside from force multiplier since their area of operations only covers the barangay where they stay
