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No soldiers meeting with presidential bets, says AFP chief


Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Delfin Bangit on Tuesday denied reports that members of the military are meeting with presidential candidates to talk about a possible failure of elections on May 10. “As of now, we do not have any reports of any military engaging, specifically meeting (with presidential bets). That’s what we have as of now," Bangit said in a phone interview with reporters on Tuesday. The AFP chief was reacting to Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III’s statement that members of the Philippine Military Academy classes of 1977 and 1978 have talked with him to express fears of a failure of elections. (See: Noynoy bares meetings with soldiers over poll fears) Bangit, who belongs to the PMA class of 1978, said that the AFP is currently conducting an investigation to determine whether active members of the military have really met with presidential candidates. “If (it) will be later on established that they [active military members] are engaging in partisan politics, then they know the regulations. That’s why as of now, we are conducting an investigation," he said. Bangit also appealed anew to politicians to “spare the Armed Forces from partisan politics." “Hindi ito nakakatulong (This is not beneficial) not only to the Armed Forces. Hindi ito nakakatulong sa ating bansa. Sana pabayaan na lang kaming gawin ‘yung aming trabaho (This does not help the country. I hope politicians just let us do our job)," he said.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV

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