Tales from the Countryside

CAFGU Battalion challenges and innovations

by Lt Col Joshua G Santiago INF (GSC) PA

The 72 nd IB (CAFGU) is now confronting many challenges in the performance of its mission in view of its wide area of coverage. The perennial problems in CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) administration, among others, delay of subsistence allowance and untrained cadres reduced the effectiveness of CAFGUs as force multipliers in ISO. This is further aggravated by the CT harassments of CAA detachments and the lost of sizeable number of assorted firearms.

With the designation of LTC JOSHUA R SANTIAGO INF (GSC) PA, as the Battalion Commander, he immediately instituted measures to improve the CAA administration by enhancing the data base of CAAs. It aims to improve accounting and prevent the existence of “ghost CAAs”. The patrol bases are also continuously strengthened and fortified to withstand and repel enemy attack.

Lessons learned that most of the scenarios the led to the disarming of patrol bases were attributed to the deception made by the CTs of wearing military uniforms and introducing as soldiers. The communist terrorists (CTs) even use cadres or CAAs as hostage to force other CAAs in the patrol base to surrender their firearms as what had happened in CAA detachments in Brgy Bintuin, Tulunan, North Cotabato and Brgy Canidkid, Montevista, COMVAL Province. Read Full Text

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