August 1, 2000, The Philippine Star, Opposition: Fielding militias 'dangerous', by Liberty Dones,

 Opposition lawmakers expressed reservations yesterday over the government's plan to recruit up to 30,000 Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) militias to help the military neutralize Muslim and communist rebels. The military activated yesterday 10,000 CAFGUs, 70 percent of whom will be fielded in Mindanao against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Some congressmen fear that this might lead to human rights abuses reminiscent of the Marcos years. "This is very dangerous," House Minority Leader Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Lakas, Quezon City) said. "You know, CAFGUs are almost irregulars... more »