Military studying maritime militia to help secure territorial waters

October 14, 2020

The military is studying the possibility of having maritime militia to help  government forces in securing the country's territorial waters.

"We have discussed the possibility of “maritime Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU),” having CAFGU Active Auxillary for maritime purposes, is being studied," said Brig. Gen. Zosimo Oliveros, 802nd Brigade commander during the Commission on Appointments Committee on National Defense hearing on Wednesday.

"It is being looked into where we could get the budget for that, but that is being studied now and it is a big help especially that we are in archipelagic (country). If there are CAFGU Active Auxiliary in the towns, we should also have  CAFGU  Active Auxiliary in maritime areas," he added.

Oliveros said the military is also looking into how the Philippine Navy will organize maritime militia.

"We're looking at how it will be organized, because it is the Army who has the experience organizing CAFGU but the operational control will be under the Philippine Navy," he said.

However Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed concern on arming fishermen.

"As as advocate of gunless society, the members of AFP and PNP should be the only people who will be allowed to carry firearms within the country. I will be worried if they will allow the fishermen to carry firearms," she said. Robina Asido/DMS