Related article: Solons warn versus militarization
by Victor Reyes
Malaya
Five months before the retirement of Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano, there are already talks on whether President Arroyo’s perceived favorite officer, Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, would make it to the top military post.
Some military officers are wary of Bangit’s possible appointment as the military chief, citing the fact that he would be overtaking more senior officers and upperclassmen at the Philippine Military Academy.
Bangit, chief of the Southern Luzon Command, belongs to PMA Class ‘78 that has adopted President Arroyo as an honorary member. He served as chief of the Presidential Security Group and had been with the President since she was vice president. After his stint at the PSG, Bangit was named head the Intelligence Service of the AFP and later on commander of the 2nd Infantry Division. He has been a three-star general for more than a year.
Traditionally, AFP chiefs come the major service commands – Army, Air Force and Navy – and the Southern Command which had been divided into Western and Eastern Mindanao commands.
Among Bangit’s upperclassmen who are qualified for the post of AFP chief are Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, AFP deputy chief Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, and Navy chief Vice Adm. Ferdinand Golez. Like Yano, they belong to PMA Class ‘76 which has adopted Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
Ibrado is due for retirement in March next year, giving him only nine months in service if appointed AFP chief. The three others have at least one year in the service.
Also in contention is AFP vice chief Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna (Class ‘75) and Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Isagani Cachuela, Class ’76.
Luna is due for retirement in September and Cachuela in November. However, their rise to AFP chief cannot be immediately ruled out because of President Arroyo’s “revolving door” policy.
Ten AFP chiefs have served the Arroyo government, with three of them – Roy Cimatu, Benjamin Defensor and Dionisio Santiago – serving for only a few months.
Also in the running is Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Oscar Rabena (Class ‘78), who served as chief of the Presidential Airlift Wing.
Another officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said naming Bangit AFP chief might be construed as a “political reward.” It will be “less controversial” if Bangit is named Army chief, AFP deputy chief, or AFP vice chief, he said.
Talks of Bangit’s possible appointment as AFP chief intensified after the President’s appointment of Rabena as Air Force chief over upper classmen.
A military analyst, retired Commodore Rex Robles, said he sees no big problem in Bangit being named AFP chief.
“Maybe they (Malacañang) are more comfortable with him,” he said.
Asked if Bangit’s appointment as AFP chief will be productive to the military organization, Robles said: “It depends on how many people he is going to step into and who. But from a strictly professional point of view, there is no reason for infighting ensuing. When you’re already multi-star general, it’s strictly based on merits…The problem is if your merit is questionable. Because the AFP is a small community, everyone knows if you are good or not,” he said.
Robles was a member of the independent body that looked into the Oakwood mutiny in July 2003.
Told that Bangit may be appointed as AFP chief because of his closeness to Malacañang, Robles said: “That will be his baggage. It could be that he is a capable officer whose baggage is that he is close to Malacañang.”
Robles expressed doubt if Yano is going to allow Malacañang to intervene in the deliberations of the Board of Generals which will recommend his successor. The President has the prerogative to uphold the recommendation or appoint whoever she wishes to.
Robles said it would not be easy to force the appointment of Bangit if the “general military council” recommends another officer for the post. “If the President says ‘I want Bangit’, it’s not that easy,” he said.
“In the first place, Yano is sitting as head of the general military council. Will he allow himself to be dictated upon? He is retiring and he’s been showing independence several times,” he said.
Yano assumed the post in May last year.
Proving Yano’s independence, Robles said the campaign against rogue commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao was ordered by Yano and not by the President. He said the President merely supported Yano in the campaign.
On whether Yano will succumb to the wishes of Malacañang in the appointment of Bangit, Robles said: “If the gap (in merits) is not that big, it would not be prudent of to make an issue out of it, on the merit.”
The crucial period for GMA is now, first quarter of the year. Gen. Bangit has to be placed in a very strategic position.
He is a shoo-in to replace Gen. Ibrado.
Concerned citizens should watch out for Gen. Jonathan Martir’s confirmation to two-star general which would make him a strong contender to be commander of the Marines instead of Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban.
Okay lang. Why, does Gloria think the AFP will follow those retired generals when ranged against patriotic officers like Gen. Lim and Sen. Trillanes?
Oh my goodness me! Bangit is an intel man/expert. He will be used to spy on the military. I don’t think he will be looking after the welfare of the AFP.
The AFP is beginning to resemble the armed forces of Mugabe.
Yano will leave the AFP not having accomplished anything except to make himself look and sound good but in reality he’s nothing but a guy with no backbone, no courage and finally as inept as the guys before him.
Bangit is close to PMA Class 72 and “served” the likes of Temy Mayuga (remember the Mayuga report?)
Same old shit!!!!!!Marcos favor Fabian Ver over Tabako,because berdugo is more loyal compare to Ramos na pasaway.
“We have no tolerance for human rights violations.
Nakikibaka sa kalaban si Jovito Palparan.
Hindi aatras hanggang mawala sila sa gabi!
Together we will stop extrajudicial killings!”
(actual quotes of GMA on Palparan)
(actual quotes of GMA on Palparan)
sinakyan ng mahilig sumakay.
‘yan ang reynang aso!
hindi n’yo ba napansin ang mga BinANGgIT ni commo robles sa itaas?
lahat ay double talk.
matagal nang nakakapagduda ang katapatan at kinikilingan ng dati’y marangal na opisyal.
mapakla na ang lasa ng kanyang mga niluluto.
Magno,
Re: “lahat ay double talk.”
I never trusted Rex Robles dahil nga puro double talk.
Iyang si Robles mula pa noong N-5 siya ay puro double talk. Dapat tanungin iyan kung bakit nawala iyong pondo ng N-5 ng matanggal siya sa puwesto at wala siyang maipakitang resibo.
(Alam mo ba ang tawag sa navy kay Robles? “sea cat” at hindi “sea dog” hehe!)
Re: “However, their rise to AFP chief cannot be immediately ruled out because of President Arroyo’s “revolving door” policy.”
Under AFP rules, less than one year to go in service disqualifies these guys from any major service command, let alone CSAFP postition.
Talagang walanghiya itong PI Gloria na ito!
Robles and many of the RAM boys including Gringo have lots of explaining to do to the people. Of course their Godfather is no other than Enrile. We don’t want to raise the issue of their coup against a legitimate President (Marcos) in 1986 for that’s history. What we want to ask is where all the funds go. Money poured into RAM during the 1st Edsa both from local and foreign supporters. RAM also was funded during their several coups against Cory.
If we rely on the wisdom of the olds, we will end up with younger generations of nincompoops for there is no chance for them to acquire the desired progressive advancement at all. What the retireds should do is to use their mettle to put up their own business and not continue their bottle sucking of the government.
Dapat lamang ay may kaunting natitira na delicadeza ang mga nakapagserbi na laluna mga ‘honorable’ PMAs. Pagbigyan ang mga sumusunod. May bituka rin sila.
BE, the RAM funds? Maraming nasira diyan. I know of one officer who had invested his relatives’ money. When Ram went under, this officer had to pay the relatives out of his pocket until all the pricipal and the promised interests were paid off. Nagtiis ng husto itong officer na ito dahil sa kakaunting kita niya, nagbabayad pa siya ng hindi naman niya ginastos na pera. Konsensiya na lang ng mga kumuha at lumustay ng pera ng may pera. Typical Filipino business. This was in the 80s corrupt na ang military. Ngayon pa? Lalong lumala ang corruption dahil yung mismong lider kuno at ang kanyang super corrupt sa asawa ang nangunguna ng corruption!
I learned that Gringo pocketed most of the funds. That caused the devision within RAM.
Iyan ba yung ipinambili ni Gringo ng hundreds of Hyatt at Total taxicabs noon?
there was also a rumor (this i heard during my vacation) that campaign funds entrusted to gringo’s staff during the last presidential election were not used for the purpose and did not reach the political/campaign leaders particularly in the far flung areas in southern philippines most especially in sulu province where FPJ was most loved by the populace but lost (?).
hindi ko lang kung ito ang isang dahilan kaya nagkawatakwatak ang mga pioneers ng kanyang GUARDIANS faction.
most reliable sources ay ‘yung mga dating avid supporters ni gringo somewhere from central luzon and a city in southern philippines who became disenchanted dahil nabasura ‘yung integrity ng grupo.
baka meron ding alam si gringo tungkol dito sapagkat ayon sa aking nasagap ang involved sa diversion ng campaign ay ‘yung taong pinakamalapit sa kanya na siya ring dahilan kaya ‘yung iba ay “nasibak” sa grupo. sa katunayan ay hindi makalabas ang taong ‘yun sapagkat merong warrant of arrest (hanggang ngayon ba?) sa pagkakasangkot sa mobilization ng mga kasapi ng PGBI papuntang oakwood.
The one who took most of the FPJ campaign funds donated by Fil-Chinese Community was Angara. Remember the report that he took off boxes of money from his office building during the latter days of the campaign.
As an ordinary citizen of the philippines, i had been following the development of the AFP particularly during the change of command of PAF which i surely believed that if GMA did not intervene in the process of Board of Generals and the approval of DND in the selecting of next CG of PAF….rabena is not the one who is seating in the position…it should be the top contender and recommended by the DND which is MAJ GEN HERNANIE B PEREZ. Accordingly, rabena’s appointment is only the prerogative of GMA and not the recommendation of Board of Generals and DND wherein the original lined-up being forwarded by DND to Malacanang was only the two (2) PMA Class 76 Perez and Legaspi, but GMA upon knowing that his “bata” is not included in the list…she directed the DND to submit another 2 names for the said position wherein rabena is the fourth contender. Considering that he is her choice, though this guy is the most junior in the contenders….yet she choose same as the CG of PAF….Nakakagigil naman hindi na nasunod ang seniority dito…but anyway let us face the reality…that this is her prerogative as she need suporta ng AFP and votes of soldiers on 2010 elections at baka matalo ang administration magaya siya kay erap na nakasuhan ng katiwalian at mapreso siya…
hi to everybody…relax lang…
This is actually the very first comment na ginawa ko sa buong buhay ko ng pag ne-net. All I can say, pare-pareho lang yan mga General’s na yan. Parang Presidente lang din kahit sino ang ilagay mo wala ding satisfying performance para sa nakakarami. So wag na tayo mag talo kung sino pa ang dapat ilagay diyan sa position na yan coz I’m sure at the end of the day lahat tayo sabay-sabay at kapit kamay na ma di-dismay dahil unfortunately si Arroyo lang ang may last say…
I’ve been reading around this site during my college years pa. I have shared most of your sentiments on most part. Meron tayong gobyernong minsan hindi mo malaman ang gustong gawin, kung gusto ba nila talagang magsilbi sa o maggisa ng bayang pinaglilingkuran nila.
But with all due respect I would like to save one person from the roster. And that would be Gen. Bangit.
I know this will be read as something else, but for years I have worked with the man. Back in UP it was unthinkable to work alongside the military, but I gave it a shot. The stint gave me a fresh new look on idealism. I realized that no person, group or institution has monopoly over patriotism. Kahit mga tao sa loob ng pinakamagulo at maduming institusyon sa Pilipinas me karapatan ding maghangad ng maganda para sa bayan nila.
I know that while most of you think he is not favored by the military because of his loyalty to the scum you called Gloria (to me, yes it is an irony), he is one of the most loved commander saan man siya ma-assigned. Not because he “showers the soldiers with money” (been there, there’s no ‘shower’), but because he knows how to manage the men. I was able to see how he was able to run 2ID and SOLCOM and as far as I am concerned, SOLCOM was declared best command of the country in terms of accomplishments, even sa mga command gaya ng EASTMINCOM at WESTMINCOM kung saan halos panay na panay ang operations. Not because he is loyal to Arroyo Administration.
True, Gen Bangit spends money. He always say na if the output is worth the cost, hindi siya kukuha ng something flimsy for half the price. Kaya kung kaya ng area niya, me pinagagagawa niya sa para sa kampo. Fitness center, mineral water stations, officer’s clubhouse, livelihood centers, etc. Nakakatawa para sa atin kasi ambabaw, pero hindi lahat ng heneral nagbibigay ng ganyan. Kaya kung kaya unit, bibigyan niya ang mga sundalo ng maayos na damit, o ng magandang annual report. O kung kaya ng unit, magha-hire sila ng researcher para lang maayos yung military English nila na gumagamit ng “peakest” at “wrong good manners and right conduct”. Yun ang trabaho niya e. Not because he is loyal to Arroyo Administration
I have also seen the man work, not as a soldier but a ‘mistah’ for the president. The thing that makes him “loyal” to the president is not because he is sipsip, but because of all the generals surrounding GMA, only this one won’t sugar-coat things up. Of course being mistah and all the camaraderie formed since GMA was still a vice-president helps, but there are more reasons why GMA pause and listen to Gen BAngit more than other generals. He is the person who will told the president that her government is the one giving money insurgents via permit to campaign fees and other extortion activities on government projects. And among the general, I think you won’t believe me (but I have worked with a number of them), this is the only star-rank soldier that can say “NO” to the president.
I want to ask you guys a question: ano ba ang mali kay Gen. Bangit? He has never been charged with anything related to misuse of public funds. He was never related to any human rights issue (with the exception to Mr. Burgos, who ‘sources’ say is detained in ISAFP compound. On how a supposedly army vehicle been linked to ISAFP I don’t know but he was cleared of that one by CHR. Sa pagkakaalam ko, the inquiry of CHR was terminated on the basis of Mrs. Burgos non-cooperation. They even gave him an award this year. But of course, walang masyadong pumansin.) during his term in PSG, ISAFP, 2ID or SOLCOM. He wasn’t involved in planning anything against the government nor has he shown interest to rule the country under military junta. He wasn’t even involved in any cheating operation during 2007 elections when he was assigned in ISAFP. His only crime was he was loyal to the GMA Administration.
But is it a crime to be loyal to the government? Please note that he had shown the same loyalty and obedience during Marcos, Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo (of course wala pa siyang mataas na ranggo noon panahon ni Ramos o Erap). Yung yung trabaho niya e. Do you honestly believe that the country is well off if the military is always led astray? I don’t believe so. With more than a hundred thousand armed personnel, I am terrified of the idea that someone with his own ambition will override the chain of command and use the strength of the military to put himself at the helm of the government. Loyalty to the government is not a crime, so to speak.
Of course, Bangit is not a holy man; he has his own share of wrongdoing. But beyond his mistakes, I believe that Gen Bangit can very well be the best man for the job. To all of those heckling about seniority issues, I would like to point out that while seniority is followed, meritocracy is often (if not most of the time) considered. It’s the same in businesses. The CEO appoints key position to the person he trusts and he thinks could do that job. Of course, doing so may hit a nerve of one or two officials na mas senior kaysa kay General Bangit. But think of it this way, would you appoint someone who is more senior but less capable person or you would opt for a younger but more promising person to move and manage the armed forces?
Thank you for giving me and my piece a space in your website.
bakit mga mga militar b kayo? e lahat naman ng opinyon natin sa mga tao n yan e puro nadidinig at nababasa lang natin sa dyaryo…hindi natin alam kung ano at papaano maging isang militar…buhay nalang natin atopagin natin