Bangit bids govt troops in Bicol goodbye

On the second day of making farewell rounds within the military, Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit visited a military camp in the Bicol Region to laud soldiers there for their service to the country. A statement from the military said Bangit went to Camp Elias Angeles in Pili town, Camarines Sur and was escorted by 9th Infantry Division commander Major General Ruperto Pabustan. Bangit's visit also included ribbon-cutting ceremonies for facilities he supported when he was still commanding general of the Philippine Army. "Kinakailangang bago ako umalis sa aking panunungkulan sa aking serbisyo, dapat ay magbibigay muna ako ng personal na pasasalamat sa inyong lahat (Before I leave my position, I have to personally thank you first)," Bangit said in his farewell speech. Early on his military career in the 1980's, Bangit served as a captain who took part in combat operations against communist rebels in Nabua, Camarines Sur. Last Monday, AFP public information head Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos said Bangit is opting for an early retirement, stemming from President-elect Benigno Aquino III's repeated pronouncements that he would pick a new military chief. [See: AFP chief Bangit retiring early, starts farewell rounds] Burgos added that Bangit would start making farewell rounds in camps that were significant in his military career. On Monday, Bangit started his farewell rounds at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, where the Army's 2nd Infantry Division is based. Bangit's original retirement date falls on July 31, 2011 when he turns 56, the mandatory retirement age for military officers and enlisted men. However, the Commission on Appointments bypassed his nomination as military chief before Congress adjourned last June 4. Bangit, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Makatarungan" Class of 1978 which has President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as honorary member, will be the first AFP chief of staff in recent history to be booted out by a new president. - with Sophia Dedace/RSJ, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV