Bangit vows nonpartisan AFP in upcoming May 10 elections

(Updated 1:27 p.m.) Newly installed Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Delfin Bangit on Wednesday vowed not to take sides in the upcoming May 10 elections, saying only God could order him around. In his assumption speech at the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Bangit, who took over the AFP leadership from retired General Victor Ibrado, quelled speculations and fears raised by government critics that he could be used by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to disrupt the polls and extend her term beyond June 30. "I will not allow anybody to use me for partisan politics. Sa Diyos lang ako magpapagamit (If there is any one who could use me, it would be God)," he told the audience gathered at the camp’s grandstand that included President Arroyo, the commander-in-chief of the military and police. In his speech, Bangit defended Mrs. Arroyo against critics who have accused her of having roles in high-profile controversies hounding the government. "Never have I received illegal orders from her. I'm sorry if that’s what you (critics) don’t want to hear. But that is the truth," Bangit said. Mindoro clash In emphasizing the nonpartisan role the military will be playing in the coming elections, Bangit cited the death of 11 soldiers during a clash with communist rebels — allegedly trying to extort money from local politicians in Oriental Mindoro — as an example of the military's commitment in advancing democracy. [See: 11 soldiers killed, 7 others hurt in NPA ambush in Oriental Mindoro] "They were our first casualties in our advocacy for a credible elections... I am one with them in defending this institution from partisan politics. We will give honor to their sacrifices by protecting your votes as if they were our own," he said. "This is not lip service." He blasted speculations that he was out to "destroy democracy" and said he would only use his new position to "render professional and patriotic service worthy of the Filipino people's respect. [See: Palace dismisses fears of poll failure with Bangit at AFP's helm] He said he expected his appointment to be coupled with "difficult responsibilities... wrapped in the guise of a reward... I would not call this [appointment] a punishment. I believe that always, a position to lead other people is God-given." Honorary member Bangit belongs to the Philippine Military Academy’s Makatarungan Class of 1978, of which President Arroyo is an honorary member. He also once served as commander of the elite Presidential Security Group. It was through these associations with Mrs. Arroyo that government critics have described Bangit as a "yes-man" of the President, and therefore could be used as a tool to disrupt the elections. [See: Bangit faces professionalism question as AFP chief — Biazon]
Sharing the sentiment that Bangit could become the President's "yes-man," former Marine Brig. Gen. Fancisco Gudani, who exposed alleged rigging in the 2004 elections, on Tuesday expressed fears that Mrs. Arroyo might order Bangit to do favors for her in the future. "If GMA [Mrs. Arroyo’s initials] will ask a favor from General Bangit, he is not in a position to say no because of the favor that was given to him by the President," he told GMANews.TV. [See: Bangit an Arroyo ‘yes-man’ due to debt of gratitude - ex-general] But in an earlier radio interview, Bangit said he understood the President’s critics, saying they were merely being cautious. (See: Bangit to critics: Judge me by my actions) "But they must look at what I can do and what I have not done. Still, it is the right of everyone to criticize," he told dzXL radio. PSG stint, human rights In his speech, Bangit even took a swipe at critics making a fuss about his PSG stint from February 2003 to September 2007. "My career did not start when I was assigned in PSG, as most people are inclined to think. My career started in the struggle and sacrifice first felt in separation from one's family when I was a young lieutenant." Amid fresh accusations of human rights violation by the military against the so-called Morong 43, Bangit reminded that apart from that of civilians, human rights of soldiers should also be considered. "As a father disciplines a child, I will not tolerate the misdemeanors of our soldiers... We are not above the law. But so is every Filipino. Just as we uphold the human rights of the Filipino people, so will we uphold the rights of our soldiers," he said. The Morong 43 is composed of health workers who arrested in Rizal province last February 6 on suspicion of being members of the outlawed New People's Army (NPA). Families of the workers cried illegal and arbitrary detention, even as they claimed their detained relatives were being tortured at a military camp, an allegation repeatedly denied by the military. Valedictory address Meanwhile, in his valedictory address, Ibrado thanked Mrs. Arroyo for her "trust and confidence" in him as well as for her "resolute but caring leadership." Ibrado also wished Bangit well, saying his successor was "highly fit to serve as AFP chief of staff." Ibrado reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Wednesday. "In Gen. Delfin Bangit, we have an exemplary representative of the large pool of professionals and competent commanders who can serve as chief of staff," he said, adding that Bangit was well-equipped with enough "experience, education, and tools" to lead the military. Ibrado said that under his term, they were able to "push the communist insurgents on the verge of irrelevance." He said they have made violence "an untenable option" for Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, even as the military continue to "patiently but relentlessly" hunt down Abu Sayyaf bandits. The traditional lowering of Ibrado's personal flag preceded that of the hoisting of Bangit's flag during Wednesday's turnover ceremony. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ/NPA, GMANews.TV