Senate to probe transformation into private armies of CVOs and CAFGUs

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon filed Senate Resolution No. 1521 recommending a Senate inquiry on the issue that Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVOs) and Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGUs) are being transformed into private armies of local politicians and warlords.

"No less than Acting Secretary Norberto Gonzales has stated that there are one million loose firearms and 132 private armies all over the country."

Executive Order No. 546 series of 2006 provided for the deputization of barangay tanods as force multipliers, now commonly called as civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) in the implementation of the peace and order plan in their areas of responsibility.

"While the national government recruits and arms the CVOs for its counter-insurgency campaign and counter-terrorism operations, their pay comes from the local government units. This creates a situation wherein they are controlled by the local chief executives thereby hastening their transformation into private armies."

Biazon cited Article XVIII, Section 24 of the Constitution which states:

"Private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly constituted authority shall be dismantled. All paramilitary forces including Civilian Home Defense Forces not consistent with the citizen armed force established in this Constitution, shall be dissolved or, where appropriate, converted into the regular force."

"While we recognize the importance of CAFGUs and CVOs in the government's efforts to neutralize lawless elements and maintain peace and order in the country, it cannot also be denied that some of them have been transformed into private armies of local politicians and warlords, " Biazon concluded.