Arroyo OKs Bangit's early retirement; turnover ceremonies set Tuesday

A week after he made farewell rounds within the military, Armed Forces chief General Delfin Bangit on Monday received Malacañang's nod allowing him to end his military tour of duty a year earlier than scheduled. "President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved the early retirement of AFP cheif of staff Bangit on June 22," said an advisory from deputy presidential spokesperson Ricardo Saludo. Mrs. Arroyo likewise designated acting AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa as Bangit's replacement. Ochoa was a member of the security group of the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, mother of President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. Bangit would turn over the military leadership to Ochoa during the change-of-command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday afternoon. President Arroyo, outgoing military commander-in-chief, would be the guest of honor. "Bangit decided to avail of the optional retirement on Tuesday after the incoming President of the Philippines [Noynoy Aquino] mentioned his intention to assign a new chief of staff. Bangit recognizes that the position 'serves at the pleasure of the President,'" a statement from the AFP public information office said. Aquino had repeatedly said Bangit must leave his post because his appointment was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments before Congress adjourned three weeks ago. Had he decided not to bow out of office early, Bangit was supposed to retire on July 31, 2011 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56. Bangit and President Arroyo are perceived to have close ties. Their relationship dates back to when Mrs. Arroyo was still vice president, with Bangit serving as commanding officer of her security detachment. Bangit is also member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Makatarungan" Class of 1978, of which President Arroyo is an honorary member. Ochoa, on the other hand, is more senior than Bangit. A member of the PMA "Masikap" Class of 1977, Ochoa served as the battalion commander of the presidential guards during the administration of Mrs. Aquino. He will be the acting military chief of staff until the younger Aquino appoints a permanent AFP head. Once Bangit leaves, he will be the first AFP chief of staff in recent history who will be replaced by a new president. — with Sophia Dedace/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV