Former Cory security aide to serve as acting AFP chief when Bangit retires

A former member of the late President Corazon Aquino’s security group will serve as acting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff once current military chief General Delfin Bangit retires on June 22. Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, a member of Philippine Military Academy class of 1977 currently acting AFP vice chief-of-staff, will take over the military leadership until a permanent chief-of-staff is chosen by the late President’s son, President-elect Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III. Ochoa, who was battalion commander of the presidential guards during the late President’s administration, said he will just continue the programs started by Bangit. “Itutuloy ko lang ‘yung mga (I will just continue) programs from the current chief-of-staff," he said in an interview with reporters in the military headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Ochoa said he has been “verbally informed" by Bangit that he will act as military chief once the current chief-of-staff retires next Tuesday. Bangit opted for early retirement after President-elect Aquino categorically stated that he must leave his current post, since his appointment was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments before Congress adjourned two weeks ago. The camp of President-elect Aquino has yet to name Bangit’s permanent replacement, but Ochoa is also reportedly being eyed for the post. Just last week, President-elect Aquino named Col. Ramon Dizon, another member of his mother’s security team, to be the head of his own Presidential Security Group (PSG). - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV