AFP chief starts farewell rounds despite extension calls

Retiring Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado has started making the traditional farewell visits despite growing calls for his term extension. “I have started making rounds last month. I’ve been telling to the soldiers not to be non-partisan …I am also bidding farewell to the troops," he said Sunday. He’ll turn 56, the mandatory retirement age for soldiers, on March 10. Malacañang is yet to decide on whether or not heed the calls for Ibrado’s term extension until the end of the May 10 elections. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had extended the tour of duties of several military chiefs in the past. On Monday, Ibrado is set to fly to Bangkok to his farewell call to the top military officials there. When asked if his exit calls means that his term would not be extended, Ibrado said: “I’m not thinking about it. What I am thinking is my retirement." Ibrado assumed as AFP chief in May last year. Ibrado hinted that he is not in favor of extending the terms of military chiefs, saying other capable officers should be given ample time to lead the military service as soon as possible . “This will be for the good of the organization. Retire those who are due for retirement so the others can take over," he said. Talks are rife that President Arroyo will most likely appoint Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit to head the 120,000-strong Armed Forces after Ibrado. Bangit had once served as head of the Presidential Security Group and belongs to the Philippine Military Academy class of 1978, which has President Arroyo as an honorary member. - KBK, GMANews.TV