Upper classmen gloat: PMA Class ’78 regime over By Mario J. Mallari 06/15/2010

With Bangit opting to retire early Upper classmen gloat: PMA Class ’78 regime over By Mario J. Mallari 06/15/2010 The military chief has opted for an early retirement, and there seems to be gloating from upperclassmen. Beleaguered Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit has opted to retire early from the military service, apparently to give way to the choice of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino who had publicly announced that he will not retain the incumbent chief of the 120,000-strong organization. AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. yesterday confirmed that Bangit had started his farewell visits to major military commands, starting with the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (ID) based in Tanay, Rizal yesterday. “Definitely, he will be retiring from service early. As far as the exact date is concerned, we don’t have any formal information when,” said Burgos. Asked if Bangit will be retiring before Aquino’s inauguration on June 30, Burgos replied “it’s hard to tell while there is no definite date…but his farewell visit is an indication he will retire early.” Should Bangit retire before June 30, Burgos said an acting chief of staff will take over. “There is no problem with that, the AFP is institutionalized, we have procedures to follow. We don’t pay honor not just to one person but to the institution,” he said. Elsewhere in the military, there appeared to be gloating in the Philippine Military Academy as PMA Class of 1978, which has President Arroyo as honorary member, has said that this class may now come to an end, with the ruling class in the AFP having the same fate as Bangit. Noynoy Aquino has already hinted that his choice for the next AFP chief comes from a senior class of the PMA Class of 1978, apparently a member of either PMA Classes of 1976 or 1977. Military insiders expressed belief that Aquino’s ascension to power could lead to the shortlived “rule” of members of the PMA Class of 1978, which include Bangit. “He (Aquino) is obviously not comfortable with the class (PMA 1978), so it is safe to say that their (members of PMA Class of 1978) reign could be over,” said one source. Aside from Bangit, several members of the PMA Class of 1978 are currently occupying key positions both in the AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP).... MORE   Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100615hed1.html

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