MANILA - Amid calls for an extension of his term until after the May elections, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Victor Ibrado has started visiting military camps around the country to bid the troops farewell.
“I’ve already visited several units, not only to remind them to be nonpartisan in the coming elections but also to say my goodbyes,” Ibrado told reporters on Sunday.
He said he has been going around since January to announce his “exit.”
Ibrado is set to retire on March 10. Various sectors, however, including lawmakers, have appealed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to extend his term until after the May 10 polls, the first time automated elections will be conducted in the country.
At issue is a possible repeat of the “Hello Garci” fraud controversy during the 2004 presidential election when President Arroyo was taped in conversation with former Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano about winning vote margins.
Several ranking military officers were mentioned in the conversations as being partial to the administration.
The fear is that after Ibrado retires, President Arroyo would appoint the Army chief, Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, as AFP chief of staff, due to his closeness to her as the former chief of Malacañang security.
But Ibrado said on Sunday he was not thinking about a term extension. “What I am thinking about is my retirement,” he said.
He said it would be better for the military organization if retirement schedules were followed in order to give other ranking officers a chance to move up.
“In my opinion, it will be good to [let go of] those who are already due for retirement to give a chance to others,” he said.
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