NEWLY-installed Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Delfin Bangit was challenged by various camps to display independence from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In a statement, Bayan said the “perceived closeness” of Bangit to the President could be useful in extending Arroyo’s term should there be failure of elections come May 10.

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“General Bangit should make a categorical statement that should there be a failure of elections, he will not move to install Mrs. Arroyo in power indefinitely. He should pledge to uphold civilian supremacy and he should not let the military stop peaceful mass protest actions,” said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr.

“It remains to be seen if his loyalty is really with the Constitution or with his adopted PMA (Philippine Military Academy) classmate, the current president and commander-in-chief,” Reyes added.

Bangit took over the reins of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from General Victor Ibrado, which fell on Ibrado’s birthday Wednesday. The formal turnover of command ceremony was held at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Witnessed by Arroyo, the general said he will maintain a professional military under his tutelage.

“I will not allow anybody to use me for partisan politics. Sa Diyos lang ako magpapagamit,” he told the audience.

Bangit also asked politicians to spare the military from politics.

“Please, spare your Armed Forces from politics. We can do more for our country if you let us focus on our mission,” he said, adding that the 2010 election is critical and the country has to move on.

According to Bayan, the controversies surrounding Bangit’s appointment could have been avoided if Arroyo left the naming of the next chief-of-staff to her successor in June.

Bangit was a commander of the elite Presidential Security Group and a chief of the Intelligence Service of the AFP during the Arroyo administration.

But retired General Victor Ibrado came to his successor’s rescue, saying Bangit is "highly fit to serve as AFP chief of staff."

“In General Delfin Bangit, we have an exemplary representative of the large pool of professionals and competent commanders who can serve as chief of staff," he said. “Bangit had enough experience, education, and tools to lead the military.”

Ibrado, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56, expressed confidence that the military will not be used for any form of electoral cheating due to the vigilance of the public.

Fellow mistah detained Brigadier General and senatorial candidate Danilo Lim said Bangit should assure the public of the non-partisan role of the military in the elections and for being loyal to the people and to the Constitution.

Lim and Bangit are members of the Philippine Military Academy’s Makatarungan Class of 1978, of which Arroyo was an adopted classmate.

‘Rock solid accomplishments’

During the turnover ceremony, President Arroyo said she would turn over “rock solid accomplishments” and programs that her administration has gained and started.

“The history-rooted ceremony of the change of command that we are having now reminds ourselves that leaders are transient but the authority and responsibility endure as they are transferred to another leader. As it is with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, so it is with the entire Republic of the Philippines. So, too, is our entire administration devoted to ensure a smooth transition to a new government,” she said.

“With the appointment of General Bangit, we are pleased to provide the continuity required to keep our nation stable and strong. As we have heard from the endorsement of General Ibrado, as we have heard from the remarks of General Bangit, General Bangit will always put the nation first in performing his duty to uphold the Constitution and protect our citizens,” Arroyo stated.

The President said as she await the end of her term three months from now, she would continue to focus on her governance work and in advancing the key programs that she has been advocating since the start of her administration which includes more infrastructure, education, healthcare, job creation, economic stability, and advancing national security.

Wrong allegations

In his assumption speech, Bangit sought to prove wrong the allegations of naysayers that his appointment will pave the way for the rigging of the polls and that he will be an agent against democracy.

“To be designated as the chief-of-staff is an honor; but with it comes the challenge. I would admit that this is a very delicate time to be the chief-of-staff. So tight is the AFP’s deadline to reduce insurgency to insignificance and so determined is your armed forces that in these final months the enemies of the state are pushing back so hard,” said Bangit.

According to him, there was a need for the AFP to be modernized in order to give our country the kind of service that it deserves.

“So critical is this forthcoming elections that all possible scenarios - even the most unlikely scenario that I am here to destroy democracy - have been brought to the fore,” the new AFP chief stated.

Despite all these burdens he has been through in his career, Bangit said his critics call this position a reward or a prize. “I have had more than 32 years in service; and I have learned that the most difficult responsibilities out there are wrapped in the guise of a reward.”

“My purpose as the chief-of-staff is to lead the AFP to render professional and patriotic service worthy of the Filipino people's respect. I am not the kind of commander who will lead our soldiers astray. I will not allow anybody to use me for partisan politics. I will only allow myself to be used by God,” he added.

Respect for Arroyo

Bangit, meanwhile, said the reason he has respect for President Arroyo is after all these years, “never have I received illegal orders from her. I’m sorry if that is not what you want to hear, but that is the truth. Despite this, some people have made up their minds to believe that mere association with the President makes one a bad leader.”

He furthered that he is just among the soldiers who just try, each day, to be professional despite the accusations to the contrary.

“Maybe now you can clearly see how frustrating it is for a Filipino soldier to have his sacrifices and professionalism ignored, just because of too much politicking. I understand that our people are just exercising extreme cautiousness in this critical time. I do not begrudge that. But I would be remiss in my duty as the father of the AFP if I would not speak up against it. So today, I plead: please, please spare your Armed Forces from politics. We could do more for our country if you let us focus on our mission,” he said.

Free ‘Morong 43’

In a related development, militant group Bayan also challenged Bangit to uphold human rights, especially in relation to the case of the 43 health workers who are still detained in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal for being suspected communist rebels.

“By virtue of command responsibility, Bangit is liable for whatever happens to the 43 health workers detained in Camp Capinpin. His first act must be to ensure that the rigths of the 43 are respected and that that daily tactical interrogations be immediately stopped,” Reyes said.

He added that Bangit should not “play dumb” on the several cases filed by the relatives of the detainees before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Court of Appeals (CA).

Supporters of the 43 alleged that the detainees suffered physical and psychological torture and hit the military for the “divide and rule” tactics employed inside the military camp. (Virgil Lopez/JMR/VR/Sunnex)