The former spy master who is known as the ‚Äúemperor‚Äù is appointed as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Lieutenant General Delfin N. Bangit hails from San Mateo, Rizal and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatarungan” Class of 1978.

The appointment of Lt. Gen. Bangit drew a guarded welcome from soldiers and alarmed critics.

In a statement given by Sen. NoyNoy Aquino, Liberal Party standard-bearer he said that “many groups are [concerned] that the neutrality of the AFP in the coming elections is severely at risk with someone as fiercely loyal to the President as (Bangit) now at the helm of the AFP.”

Aquino’s running mate, Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, told reporters Bangit’s appointment was alarming.

“A lot of senior officers were bypassed by this class and officers from this class control almost all of the major service commands. We have to be alert that any sinister plan of this government will not prosper,” said Roxas.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, the LP campaign manager, challenged Bangit to prove his loyalty to the Constitution rather than the one who appointed him.

“All eyes are on him and we expect him as a professional soldier not to allow the AFP to be a tool to prop a very unpopular administration through unconstitutional and illegal means,” said Pangilinan.


And on the statement of Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo he said “His appointment does not bode well for the morale of the AFP rank and file and it raises the specter of an electoral fraud.”

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, a former AFP chief of staff, said that the people feared Bangit because of the “track record of the President in her disregard for institutions and institutional processes to protect her political interests.”

“Because of the non-resolution of the ‘Hello Garci’ controversy, there is in the minds of the people that Bangit can be again used to defeat the election process,” he said in a phone interview, referring to claims Ms Arroyo stole the 2004 election, a charge she has denied.

“Given his closeness to President Arroyo, he must prove himself to our people and must be above suspicion,” Sen. Francis Escudero said in a text message.

Prior to his assumption as the Chief of AFP, Lt. Gen. Bangit was the Commander of the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), Armed Forces of the Philippines from 06 May 2008 to 12 June 2009. His most recent positions of major responsibility include: Commanding General, 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army from 11 September 2007 to 06 May 2008; Chief, Intelligence Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines from 16 August 2006 to 05 September 2007; Group Commander, Presidential Security Group from 12 February 2003 to 11 September 2007.

He has also been the Chief of Staff, Intelligence and Security Group, Philippine Army from 16 May 1997 to 16 August 1998; Company Commander, Alpha Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, Philippine Army; Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G2), 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army; Area Command Staff for Intelligence, SOLCOM, AFP; Battalion Commander, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, Philippine Army.

Photo Credit: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/

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