A MULTI-sectoral group said the fears of a repeat of the “Hello Garci” controversy may become a reality with the naming of Army Chief Lieutenant General Delfin Bangit as new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) head.
Fr. Joe Dizon, Kontra Daya convener, said the possible involvement of AFP on poll scam has increased with the appointment of the new military chief.
“His appointment exacerbates the fears that the AFP will again be used ala-‘Garci generals’,” he said in a statement.
It would be recalled that several AFP officials were allegedly part of the controversial “Hello Garci” tapes, a series of recorded conversations, wherein two persons with voices similar to those of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
On Monday, Arroyo appointed Bangit as the new AFP chief, replacing General Victor Ibrado, who retired Wednesday.
Aside from being a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1978, which has adopted Arroyo as an honorary member, Bangit was the head of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) from 2003 to 2007.
“Bangit is perceived as a GMA (Arroyo) loyalist. He has yet to prove otherwise,” Dizon added.
Meanwhile, Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP) Chairperson Sr. Mary John Mananzan said she received information that the new AFP chief is involved in the so-called “Project Full Moon.”
According to her, the “project” aims to administer cheating operation by the administration in the coming May 10 polls.
“National Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzalez will manage the May election cheating through Bangit and Brigadier General Romeo Prestoza (who heads the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) ‘Project Full Moon’,” she said in a text message.
The so-called “Garci generals” are Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Romeo Tolentino, and Gabriel Habacon.
No proclamation scenario
For his part, former President Joseph Estrada doused Tuesday speculations that the appointment of Bangit as AFP chief would pave the way for a “no proclamation scenario” after the May 10 elections.
The standard bearer of the Partido ng Masang Piipino (PMP) also said the AFP is a professional military organization and would not allow itself to be used for purposes other than those mandated by the Constitution.
“There are rumors that Bangit and his men would be used to manipulate the outcome of the elections. It’s a recipe for unrest. Let’s give Bangit a chance to disprove all allegations against him. He’s the most maligned military chief. I still subscribe to the professionalism of the military,” Estrada said.
Bangit is said to be very loyal to President Arroyo, serving as the commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) at one time before his appointment as Army commanding general.
Estrada, however, acknowledged that Bangit’s appointment could “destabilize” the military because of his association with Mrs. Arroyo.
“The AFP, under Bangit, should remain apolitical and non-partisan at all times. We should not allow a repeat of ‘Hello Garci.’ I don’t think Bangit is that stupid to ruin his military career just so President Arroyo could stay in power even after the elections,” Estrada said.
“The Arroyo government cannot afford to mock the results of the elections. People will not allow her to continue her ways,” he added.
The former chief executive said rumors that Bangit would “populate” the entire country with his own men, political operators posing as military men” are exaggerated.
Last year, reports said Bangit was dubbed as the brains behind “August Moon,” an alleged plot of some members of Class 78 to cut short the term of outgoing military chief Victor Ibrado.
The death of former President Corazon Aquino last August reportedly spoiled the plan but “August Moon” was revived early this year as reports of Ibrado’s term extension was published in major dailies.
President Arroyo has extended the term of four AFP chiefs, the latest of whom was General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. who got a three-month extension in 2008.
In defense
Malacañang officials on Tuesday defended Bangit against the speculations surrounding his appointment.
Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza, in a press briefing, dismissed that Bangit’s appointment was a price of loyalty, saying the new AFP chief is professional soldier who will loyal to the Constitution and the country and not to President who put him to the highest military seat.
Mendoza, who himself headed 150,000-strong Philippine National Police (PNP), said there should be no doubt about the loyalty of the Bangit.
“Once you get into the post, loyalty no longer is personal. It is loyalty to the Constitution and the Republic,” he said.
He also denied that the issue of unrest among military ranks, saying this situation will not happen.
“I think the so-called unrest (will not happen)...because these, especially the young officers, they are not politicized—they are professionals and they have missions, objectives, and they have been training to accomplish these missions,” the Palace official said.
For Press Secretary Crispulo Icban, the appointment of Bangit has passed all the criteria required for the appointment and he is “very qualified for the post.”
Icban dispelled apprehensions from political sectors that Bangit’s appointment was connected to the upcoming May 10 elections, advancing the agenda of the administration.
“These are unfounded fears. Even the President has indicated she will be focusing only on her congressional candidacy in Pampanga,” he said.
Mendoza added that the military is a professional organization and no way that it would follow the President’s order if it is unconstitutional.
“I am sure that there’s nowhere in the mission or in the mandate of the office of the Chief of Staff that will say that he will have to be personal even on elections,” he said.
On the issue of bypassing several senior military officials because Bangit is Arroyo’s “pet,” Mendoza said no official was bypassed by Bangit.
“Seniority is not (based) on the year that you graduated. You know, I was Chief of Staff, three-star general and my…the members of my staff were four years my senior. But I was promoted first because seniority, actually when you’re already an officer, is based on the date of your promotion. I think General Bangit, among the senior officers, got his three stars ahead of, you know, even his seniors in the military academy. Seniority actually is on the rank, it’s not on the classes,” he explained.
President Arroyo announced Monday that Bangit will be the successor of outgoing AFP chief General Victor Ibrado who is reaching the retirement age of 56 on Wednesday same day of the turnover of AFP Command in Camp Aguinaldo.
Mendoza said there has no replacement yet for Bangit in Philippine Army. (FP/AH/Jill Beltran/Sunnex)