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NEWLY installed Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit on Wednesday broke his silence on criticisms heaped on him immediately after he was appointed by President Gloria Arroyo to head the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)



President Gloria Arroyo is seen with incoming Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit during the change of command of the military’s top leadership at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Wednesday. Photo By Miguel De Guzman

In his speech during turnover held at military headquarters Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Wednesday, he said that his mandate as the chief of staff is to lead the Armed Forces in rendering professional and patriotic service worthy of the people’s respect.

“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 [Only God can use me],” an emotional Bangit added.

To be designated as the Armed Forces commander, according to him, is an honor that comes with a challenge, especially now that the military is only a few months away from the deadline set by the president to defeat insurgency and its task to help the Commission on Elections ensure orderly and credible May 10 presidential elections.

“So critical [are these polls] that all possible scenarios, even the most unlikely scenario that I am here [as Armed Forces chief] to destroy democracy, have been brought to the fore,” he said.

Bangit added that he does not consider his new assignment as a punishment because he believes that a position enabling one to lead other people is God-given and that his purpose as the head of the military is to lead the Armed Forces in improving itself at all times.

“We have invested so much effort and resources to inculcate in our soldiers where their allegiance should lie. We are not above the law; we are not above our civilian leaders. We are the guardians of the Constitution, and we carry the deepest regard for our people,” he said.

He answered allegations that his appointment was a reward for his loyalty to President Arroyo.

Bangit said that the start of his military career was marked by separation from his family when he was a young lieutenant.

“My career did not start when I was assigned to the Presidential Security Group [PSG], as most people are inclined to think,” he added. Bangit once headed the PSG and also the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or Isafp.

He said that he rose from the ranks just by doing his best every single day and praying that God would continue to inspire him despite the sight of death of his comrades, the imperfections of the military organization and the absence of “appreciation from my countrymen.”

Despite his dedication to his career, according to Bangit, he wondered why people would always think that every promotion he received had resulted from his supposed closeness to the President.

“What happened to my years of hard work and sacrifice? Will I taint my name and betray our people at this time when our country needs faithful service the most? Definitely not,” he said. “Some people have made up their minds to believe that mere association with the President makes one a bad leader.”

Bangit added that although he understands that people are just exercising extreme cautiousness during this critical time for the country, he would be remiss in his duty as father of the AFP if he did not answer his accusers.

The accusations, he said, ignored the sacrifices of other military officers and men. “So today I plead please, please spare your Armed Forces from politics. We could do more for our country if you let us focus on our mission.”

During the turnover, the President also in a speech said that she was counting on the new Armed Forces chief of staff and the military “to help us prove that our democracy works for the future of our nation’s children.”

Bangit took over from Gen. Victor Ibrado who retired also on Wednesday upon reaching his mandatory retirement age of 56.

Mrs. Arroyo said that Bangit “will always put the nation first in performing his duty to uphold the Constitution and protect our citizens.”

She conferred on Ibrado the Legion of Honor award after the military honors.

In his farewell speech, Ibrado thanked the President for her “resolute and caring leadership” and said that Mrs. Arroyo made the right choice in appointing Bangit.

The President cited Bangit’s 32 years of service and experience as a soldier.

Bangit said that the Armed Forces would continue to support the President’s military modernization program and national development as the tool for attaining peace, including the holding of a credible elections on May 10.

With report from Angelo S. Samonte

By Jefferson Antiporda Reporter
The Manila Times
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 21:13