Tuesday, October 16, 2007 Small miners reject creation of paramilitary in Diwalwal By Ben O. Tesiorna
SMALL-scale miners in Diwalwal have rejected the creation of a Special Cafgu Auxiliary (SCAA) that would help in the anti-insurgency campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the gold rush mountain.
Mt. Diwata barangay captain Franco Tito said the peace and order situation in the area is now stable and the creation of a paramilitary group in the area is the least of their priority now.
But Tito is not closing the possibility of additional security forces in Diwalwal, saying that the barangay council and the thousands of small-scale miners in the area will be discussing the matter before they would make any decision.
Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Cardoso Luna said last week that they are willing to train and deploy a battalion of Cafgus in Diwalwal provided that the miners will be the ones who will finance their operation, including the salary and allowances of the Cafgus.
He said the Cafgus will concentrate on the internal security operations within Diwalwal so as to deny the rebels of their financial resources, which is said to be mainly coming from Diwalwal.
Luna said if their plan will push through, the special Cafgus will be a big help in eradicating the rebels in the area.
It was learned that there are about three front committees of the NPA operating in Diwalwal.
Diwalwal is said to be the major source of funds of the NPA for its operation in the entire country.
Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy also shares his reservations over the military's plan, saying they will first have to study the proposal.
He said though that he is leaving up to the municipal officials to decide whether to support the proposal.
