I used to live in Cotabato. I left the place last year to work in Manila, but all my relatives are still there.
This is in reaction to the letter of Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan (“Karapatan reiterates call: Scrap paramilitary groups,” Inquirer, 7/12/13). I disagree with all her observations and suggestions for government to disband its paramilitary groups—e.g., Citizens Armed Force Geographic Unit (Cafgu) and civilian volunteer organization (CVO)—and to repeal Executive Order No. 546, which allows local officials to employ Cafgus and CVOs to help address insurgency and guard the people’s safety.
Perhaps Palabay has not experienced living in a barangay where the New People’s Army operate. They disturb the peace, extort money and force the populace to support them. With the Cafgus and CVOs around, a barangay can be safe from them. The Cafgus and CVOs are necessary because of the presence of NPA marauders. If there were no NPA rebels, there will be no need for the paramilitary troops and CVOs.
Palabay seems unaware of what the NPA terrorists do in most barangays. By the tone of her letter, we already know who she represents. I am a relative of a Cafgu member. I know for a fact that and he and his fellow Cafgus have kept our barangay in Cotabato peaceful and orderly. The country needs Cafgus, CVOs and the EO 546.
I thank Palabay for her opinion, which is not acceptable to me at the moment.
—LUCEA I. DIMAS,
dimas.lucea@yahoo.com