Bangit bids final goodbye to AFP By Mario J. Mallari 06/22/2010

Bangit bids final goodbye to AFP

By Mario J. Mallari 06/22/2010 It’s final. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit is retiring today as chief of the 120,000-strong organi-zation, giving way to incoming President Benigno Aquino III’s choice as military chief when he assumes office on June 30. Outgoing President Arroyo has already accepted Bangit’s request for an early retirement which takes effect today, her spokesman Ricardo Saludo told reporters via short messaging service yesterday. Saludo added that following the recom-mendation of the AFP Board of Generals, Arroyo has designated AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa to suc-ceed Bangit in an acting capa-city until the next Commander-in-Chief, names his choice for the top post. Bangit’s decision to file for an early retirement stemmed from Aquino’s public refusal to retain him in office owing to his alleged questionable appointment since his predecessor, Ret. Gen.  Victor Ibrado, vacated the post right when the election ban on midnight appointments took effect. Apart from this, Aquino has perceived that Bangit might be beholden to Arroyo given the fact that he has been among her longest-serving generals whose loyalty has been aptly rewarded gradually through promotions. Bangit reportedly took Aquino’s snide remarks seriously and this eventually drove him to file for an early retirement instead of accepting the lower rank. AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. yesterday confirmed there is a scheduled change of command ceremonies in Camp Aguinaldo at 3 p.m. today, with acting AFP Vice Chief of Staff Ochoa taking over from Bangit in an acting capacity. Burgos said the AFP’s Board of Generals recommended that Ochoa should take command as the acting chief of staff of the AFP today in a retirement and change-of-command ceremony at the post parade grounds. President Arroyo is expected to preside over the turn over rites. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100622hed3.html

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