Bangit to lead Hello Garci Part Two in 2010

Why Lt. General Delfin Bangit as AFP Chief of Staff in the May 2010 elections? Two things: assure administration victory in 2010 and if the administration fails to at least get the two top posts for its bets, Vice President Noli de Castro and Gilbert Teodoro, unleash the dogs of war in Mindanao and Metro Manila to justify a full military-led government.

As I wrote in previous posts, Bangit serves as Arroyo's final option should attempts at term extension fails in Congress (it would surely fail) or if the opposition snatch the presidency in 2010.

Bangit is Mrs. Arroyo's former intelligence chief and her most trusted security group head. Sources say Bangit is closer to Mrs. Arroyo than former AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Both Bangit and Esperon took an active part in the 2004 elections that snatched electoral victory from opposition presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr. and gave the controversial win to Mrs. Arroyo. During that time, generals led by Esperon operated in major parts of the country to implement a massive cheating operation, now conveniently called " Hello Garci" scandal.

Bangit, sources say, is expected to populate the entire country with his own men, political operators posing as military men. This massive organization will ensure the victory of the administration bets in 2010.

So, now, what would be the role of new AFP Chief of Staff Lt. General Victor Ibrado? Ibrado, sources say, is a professional soldier. However, questions abound as to the loyalty of Ibrado---will he allow the AFP to be mangled by politics or will he do his own thing and continue the reforms of his predecessor, Alex Yano?

Like Yano, Ibrado is also a "sitting duck", since people will definitely flock to Bangit instead of him. This situation occurred during the time of former PNP chief Roberto Lastimoso who was perceived to be a "transition" chief to pave the way for his lower classman, Ping Lacson.

Surely, a clash is definitely expected between Ibrado and Bangit simply because people, especially defense operators, with long-term modernization projects, will probably hesitate to report to Ibrado since Bangit is there as his "shadow", perceived to even be stronger than the sitting AFP C-S.

A power struggle is sure to tear the AFP apart, thanks to pronouncements by Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro that Ibrado will also retire early to pave the way for Bangit to assume full control of the military come 2010.

By the way, Vice Chief of Staff Cardozo Luna will also retire early with Yano. Luna, as some sources say, has been tagged as a "major stumbling block" in Mrs. Arroyo and Bangit's efforts to consolidate the entire AFP General's club behind the devil's flock.

Luna is also rumoured to be against the ensuing politicization of the military during Mrs. Arroyo's administration. He will be replaced by General Rodrigo Maclang, a classmate and bunkmate of former AFP Chief of Staff Alex Yano.

Now, what is the true reason behind these maneuverings in the AFP?

Their mission is simple----prevent an opposition victory especially forces allied with former president Joseph Estrada.

Sources say, Malacanang is doing its best to prevent Erap from snatching the top plum. A case is being strengthened to again, prosecute and detain the former president.

Erap, sources say, will be prevented from running AT ALL COSTS.

Should these Machivellian moves fail, the next in the agenda is strengthening the military hierarchy through a re-organization. The PNP has already been re-organized. The AFP will undergo re-organization after Yano steps down, replacing his men with Bangit's. Ibrado will not be allowed to populate the organization with his own appointees without the prior "clearance" from Bangit.

Aim? Simple. Prevent opposition forces from having their own "generals" to help them secure victory in certain populous, voter-rich areas. We all know that generals assume "turfs" during elections and these "turfs" serve as their leverage to politicians come election time.

This is Hello Garci part two. Expect an administration win in 2010.