NEW AFP CHIEF GEN. BANGIT TAKES OVER: ONLY GOD CAN
USE ME
[PHOTO
AT LEFT - New AFP chief Gen. Delfin Bangit (right) salutes his predecessor Gen.
Victor Ibrado as President Arroyo looks on during the change of command ceremony
at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday. Willy Perez]
MANILA, MARCH 11, 2010 (STAR) By Alexis Romero and Jaime Laude - Gen. Delfin Bangit vowed to uphold God and eschew any politician or vested interest as he assumed the post of Armed Forces chief yesterday.
“My purpose as the chief-of-staff is to lead the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to render professional and patriotic service worthy of the Filipino people’s respect,” he said.
“I am not the kind of commander who will lead our soldiers astray. I will not allow anybody to use me for partisan politics.
“Sa Diyos lang ako magpapagamit (I will only be used by God).”
Speaking at the turnover ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo, Bangit said President Arroyo never gave him orders that were unlawful.
“The reason why I have so much respect for President Arroyo is because after all these years, never have I received illegal orders from her,” he said.
“Despite this, some people have made up their minds to believe that mere association with the President makes one a bad leader.”
Bangit said he had endured many trials to serve the country, and his military exploits are his response to those who doubt his capabilities.
“My career did not start when I was assigned in PSG (Presidential Security Group), as most people are inclined to think,” he said.
“My career started in the struggle and sacrifice first felt in separation from one’s family when I was a young lieutenant.
“Early on, we were trained to ignore our pains and forget our comforts.
“I rose from the ranks just by doing my best every single day, praying that God would continue to inspire me despite the sight of death among my comrades who died fighting, despite the imperfections of our organization, and most of all, despite the absence of appreciation from my countrymen.”
Bangit said his appointment as AFP chief comes at a “very delicate time” when elections will be held on May 10.
“So critical is this forthcoming elections that all possible scenarios – even the most unlikely scenario that I am here to destroy democracy – have been brought to the fore,” he said.
“Despite all these burdens, they call this position a reward or a prize. I have had more than 32 years in service; and I have learned that the most difficult responsibilities out there are wrapped in the guise of a reward.”
Bangit said it is frustrating for a Filipino soldier to have his sacrifices and professionalism ignored, just because of too much politicking.
“I would be remiss in my duty as the father of the AFP if I would not speak up against it,” he said.
Bangit said after the turnover rites that his speech sought to emphasize that the Armed Forces should not be dragged into intrigues.
“I do not have anything against them (critics),” he said.
“I just want to set things straight... I was just speaking truthfully.”
Bangit vowed to continue the military’s modernization program, as well as the developmental projects designed to sustain peace and order in the countryside.
“I will not tolerate the misdemeanors of our soldiers,” he said.
“Human rights will be upheld in all our operations, particularly in this crucial time in our anti-insurgency campaign.”
Outgoing Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado reminded soldiers that their mission is to be of service to the country, not to seek promotions.
“Our objective is not our promotion to generalship,” he said.
“It is the honored privilege of becoming one of the vital cogs of the armed force, of making a positive impact on the people in a barangay.
“Fixation with promotion distracts us from our jobs. It fosters careerism which is the true arch-enemy of professionalism.
“In fact, professionalism can be summed up by the phrase: Just do your job!”
Ibrado called on the military to work for clean elections, respect human rights and to distance themselves from partisan politics.
Sources said four names are emerging as strong contenders for Army commander to replace Bangit.
They are Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, Eastern Mindanao Command chief Raymundo Ferrer, Central Command chief Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva and Special Operations Command chief Maj. Gen. Arturo Ortiz.
Bangit belongs to Philippine Military Academy Class of 1978.
GMA: Bangit is loyal to Constitution
President Arroyo gave assurance yesterday that Bangit will remain loyal to the Constitution.
“With the appointment of Gen. Bangit, we are pleased to provide the continuity required to keep our nation stable and strong,” she said.
“As we have heard from the endorsement of Gen. Ibrado, as we have heard from the remarks of Gen. Bangit, Gen. Bangit will always put the nation first in performing his duty to uphold the Constitution and protect our citizens.”
Mrs. Arroyo said a strong national defense and a strong economy are the twin pillars of any nation’s strength.
“This is certainly true in the Philippines as well,” she said.
“As President, it is my constitutional obligation to maintain the peace, order and stability of our nation while investing in our people and growing our economy.”
Binay to Bangit: Sever ties with GMA
Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay urged Bangit yesterday to be loyal to the nation and the Constitution and sever his ties with Mrs. Arroyo.
“Bangit should realize that he is now head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, not the chief of the Presidential Security Group,” he said.
“What’s done is done. He has been chosen by Mrs. Arroyo. But this does not mean that we will not make him accountable. The challenge for him is to show his professionalism.
“We are in a democracy, and we are free to call to task our leaders for any wrongdoing. There are a lot of problems that the military is mired in.
“We have lost many good men to wars that continue unabated in the South. Graft and corruption in the military have made our men vulnerable to their enemies who are ironically using government-issued weapons.
“I ask the new AFP chief to focus on these problems and not go about as a glorified lapdog of Malacańang, running errand after errand to clean up after the mess the administration has created.”
Binay said the administration has failed to modernize the military, leaving the Air Force only a shadow of its former status as one of the strongest in Asia.
“Leave a legacy of accomplishment in the AFP and not become like your boss whose only legacy is enriching the rich and further oppressing the poor – good leadership is what our soldiers need right now to continue with its gains against the bandits in Mindanao and that is what we should sustain,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, vice chairman of the House defense committee, said yesterday Bangit would erase fears about his supposed partisanship if he announced that he would step down when Mrs. Arroyo’s term expires on June 30.
“That would also give the next president the courtesy of not having to remove him and appoint a new chief of staff,” he said.
Biazon said Bangit must help the Commission on Elections ensure the holding of peaceful, orderly and honest elections.
“If he does a commendable job in this election, there really wouldn’t be any need for him to serve under another president,” he said.
“By such an accomplishment, he would give his person, his position and the AFP as an institution a reason to receive the appreciation of a grateful nation.”
Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. is confident the Armed Forces will remain loyal to the Constitution under the command of Bangit.
Speaking over radio dzXL, Villar reminded Bangit of the importance of the military’s role in ensuring peaceful elections on May 10.
Villar said the public must be vigilant during the elections, and that attempts to delay or disrupt the exercise should not be allowed. – With Paolo Romero, Jose Rodel Clapano, Jess Diaz, Christina Mendez