Bangit submits retirement request, wants to leave post by June 22

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Delfin Bangit on Thursday said he has already submitted his retirement request to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the military's commander-in-chief. In his application, Bangit indicated that he wanted to be considered retired from military service starting June 22, or eight days before Mrs. Arroyo's term ends and President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III assumes the presidency. "That’s the date I am requesting [June 22]. But... the actual date of retirement has to be decided by the commander-in-chief," Bangit told reporters Thursday. The military chief said he could only make an official statement on the date of his retirement once Mrs. Arroyo approves his application. Bangit made public his decision to avail of an early retirement after Aquino repeatedly expressed his desire to replace Bangit as military chief once he assumes the presidency on June 30. Asked if he considered his three-month stint as too short, Bangit said: "Hindi naman. Sa amin sa (I don't think so. We in the) military, we come and go." "I'm sure there will be a better person who will take over. Palagi iyan na It's always progressive. Walang (There's no) regressive movement," he added. Among those reportedly being eyed to replace Bangit as AFP chief are Lt. General Ricardo David, presently the commander of the Northern Luzon Command, and Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command. Both David and Ferrer are members of the Philippine Military Academy "Masikap" Class of 1977. AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa will take over in an acting capacity once Bangit vacates his post. In a separate interview, AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos told GMANews.TV that despite his application for early retirement, Bangit would still continue making the rounds in military camps to bid his soldiers goodbye. Burgos said that since the military chief started his farewell rounds last Monday, he has so far visited units in at least nine provinces and cities – among these are Samar; Camarines Sur; Rizal; Jolo, Sulu; Zamboanga City; Dipolog City; and Cagayan de Oro City. "Hihintayin muna namin ang feedback mula sa Presidente... In the meantime, continuing ang farewell visits ni General Bangit (We have to await Mrs. Arroyo’s feedback on the application. In the meantime, the AFP chief continues bidding his soldiers farewell)," Burgos said. Earlier in the day, Bangit made his farewell remarks before members of the Philippine Navy. In the afternoon, Bangit was to deliver a farewell speech before soldiers from the Philippine Air Force at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. On Saturday, Bangit is scheduled to attend the incorporation day at the PMA in Baguio City. On Monday next week, the retiring military chief will drop by the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. In all his farewell speeches, Bangit has so far made the same request from his men to respect Aquino. "My last instruction for the Armed Forces was to obey and respect to the incoming president and I think we have a very professional organization," Bangit said. — LBG/KBK, GMANews.TV