1 killed, 2 wounded as CAFGU member 'runs amok' in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A militiaman reportedly killed his comrade and wounded two others for a yet to be determined reason at a checkpoint in a village of Isabela City, Basilan, a police official said.

Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Luis Licup, director of Police Regional Office 9, said Faisal Alam, a member of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit, had been on duty and manning a checkpoint when he reportedly went amok and shot at his comrades.

Cpl. Sali Tagayan was shot and killed while fellow CAFGU members Alejandro Enriquez and Sahadain Indanan Mustamad were wounded in the attack. Police said the militiamen were assigned to the Army's 15th Special Forces Company in Kapatagan Grande, Isabela City.

The victims, who were seriously wounded, were rushed to the hospital but Tagayan died while undergoing treatment. The two others have been transferred to a hospital in Zamboanga City.

Alam fled after the shooting but police and military personnel have been deployed in pursuit.

CAFGUs are militia units that assist the military in counterinsurgency operations. According to a Philippine Information Agency article in May, CAFGUs "are entitled to free health care, an initial clothing allowance, and a stipend of P4,500 monthly." It also said that CAFGUs "have the advantage in protecting their barangays from immediate threats as they are more familiar with their own communities."

In December 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order granting CAFGUs P7,000 in monthly cash assistance for November and December.

"There is a need to provide financial support to members of the CAA units, in recognition of the invaluable assistance they provide to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in dealing with internal and external security threats," the executive order read. — with a report by Roel Pareño