AFP Chief Bangit: I’m willing to take early retirement

(Update 2 – 6:17 p.m.) Philippine military chief General Delfin Bangit on Friday said he was willing to take early retirement from the Armed Forces after president-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III categorically said he has to leave office before Aquino assumes the presidency on June 30. "Oo naman I am [willing to retire early]. It is just a matter of making the decision after proper preparations are made," Bangit told reporters after a testimonial parade at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo was held for outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. When asked when he plans to retire, Bangit refused to give a date, but said he would be making a "very important announcement" before July 1. President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III officially assumes the presidency noontime of June 30. Indications that Bangit is most likely to retire than resign became more pronounced when he refused to use the word "step down" in describing his moves in the next few weeks. "Step down is not the correct term. Whether I would retire or whether I would transfer, lahat kasi ito pinag-aaralan and I will make the announcement in due time," he said. (All these are being studied.) Bangit refused to elaborate on his future plans. "I would have to make a decision first before answering so many questions," he said. Bangit also confirmed reports that the Philippine Army is set to hold a testimonial parade in his honor on Monday. Before being named military chief, Bangit served as commanding general of the Philippine Army. Asked if the event was an indication of his departure from his current post, Bangit just smiled and said: "Bakit hindi natin sa Army itanong [kung para saan iyon.]" (Why don’t we ask the Army what it’s for?) The current Army commanding general, Lt. Gen. Reynado Mapagu is a classmate of Bangit at the Philippine Military Academy "Makatarungan" Class of 1978. President Arroyo is an honorary member of Bangit's class. Earlier, Aquino has made it clear in various public announcements that Bangit has to go before he is sworn in as the next president. Aquino, too Despite Aquino's outright rejection of a Bangit-led AFP in his administration, the military chief said the armed forces would still accord the president-elect the same respect it gave to Mrs. Arroyo. He even said a "welcome testimonial" awaits Aquino once he assumes office. On Friday, Bangit led the testimonial parade for outgoing commander-in-chief President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in which the military chief attested to the President's concern for the AFP. "The same thing will happen to the incoming commander in chief. Another testimonial but a welcome [parade] will be rendered," he said. In his speech, Bangit also described the President's work ethic, saying, "I had the opportunity to observe her in her good times and bad." He acknowledged that Mrs. Arroyo was the "most criticized president" but added, "I learned that you do not have to lower your standards in order to be viewed a little friendlier. If the country demands it, she says what she wants to say." "In the midst of scandals hounding her administration, while militants are barricading, she was working. You see the level of commitment and dedication on her part," he said. "I understand her now more than ever," Bangit added. - RSJ, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV