A CAFGU or Civilian Auxiliary Forces and Geographical Unit member in Masbate died of illness on April 23 in Cawayan, Masbate after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) military officials’ neglected his medical needs. For three days, CAFGU member Judjan “Bugoy” Cortes, 25 years old, had been suffering from intense stomach pain before he died, his family said.

Cortes was reportedly only brought to the hospital after his sibling, who is also a former CAFGU member, called, demanded, and argued with military officials. The soldiers’ neglect prompted relatives to strongly suspect that the victim was deliberately poisoned.

Cortes was among those reported to have been forcibly recruited by the military to become a CAFGU member. Former marine Adriel “Boyet” Bessana, barangay captain of Dalipe, Cawayan, conspired with the soldiers in the recruitment. Cortes was assigned to the CAFGU detachment in Barangay Calumpang, Cawayan.

Cortes’ sibling fears for his safety after confronting the military officials to bring Cortes to the hospital. His relatives are also worried that the military will falsely blame the New People’s Army (NPA) for Cortes’ death to cover up their negligence.

NPA-Masbate (Jose Rapsing Command) spokesperson Ka Luz del Mar said the incident proves that the military merely exploits and uses CAFGU members.

The spokesperson said that even the already meager honorarium received by the CAFGUs as salary is often pocketed by officials. They also have no choice but to follow all the officials’ orders, such as stealing livestock, robbery, and killing farmers in the province. Worse, the military officials also sexually abuse their wives or young daughters, Ka Luz said.

Ka Luz called on the members of CAFGU not to allow themselves to be further exploited or used by the military and police against their fellow poor, exploited, and oppressed people. “[You also] come from the oppressed and exploited classes,” she said.

“Civilians forcibly recruited by the military to become CAFGU or military intelligence agents should overcome fear and immediately report to barangay officials or the local government,” she said.