Former generals Jose Almonte and Ramon Montano articulated the sentiments of some segments of the military in yesterday's interview with the media. Almonte said the appointment of Lt. General Delfin Bangit as the new AFP chief of staff is "alarming" due to his perceived closeness with Mrs. Gloria Arroyo who is set to leave office by June 2010. Almonte opined that the appointment will cast aspersion to the entire poll exercise because Arroyo has this penchant of using the military institution for her personal gains, one of which was the highly controversial "Hello Garci", which involved thousands of troops and a few generals. Such a scenario is likely, given the personal loyalty of Bangit to his appointing power.
The same fears were expressed by former general Montano who says that some idealistic officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have expressed alarm and fears that the military institution will again be used to influence the elections. More than this though is the prospect of this administration serving in a hold-over capacity once a failure of elections happen. Montano believes that the military and the people will not allow this to happen and the outbreak of violence will eventually be bloody if Bangit and his mistahs at PMA Class 1978 allow themselves to be used by the political elite in conserving power.
NCR director Roberto Rosales, a great gentleman and an officer, tried to squelch these speculations by reiterating that most members of their class deserve their promotions. Rosales say they will never allow their class to be manipulated by anybody. Same goes to Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., the AFP spokesperson, who said that the new C-S will "abide by the Constitution and protect the rights of the people". Even the palace through Executive secretary Leandro Mendoza says that Bangit is a "professional soldier, completely loyal to the Constitution and to the Filipino People."
I sincerely do not doubt the loyalty of Bangit, whom I know to be that of a tireless soldier, someone who knows his place under the sun and is intelligent enough to discern what is truly right and what is entirely wrong.
However, I cannot but erase from memory the role he played in the 2004 elections. He was privy to that entire rigging exercise and by keeping silent, Bangit was also complicit in that illicit affair.
It is of course, ideal for Bangit to really remain "apolitical" and think of the interest of the entire institution rather than of his own. However, the situation right now is unfortunately very explosive that one false move from him will inevitably spark something serious.
The question really is--is Bangit willing to exorcise his past for the sake of the institution he loves? Will he disassociate himself from Arroyo at a crucial moment? Will he disallow an order from the palace to use members of the military in election operations?
The other question is---will Arroyo sacrifice the future of this country just for her personal survival? I think yes. She did it before and she will do it again. Such is her unquenchable thirst for power that she will use all of her power to survive.
Showing posts with label lt. general delfin bangit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lt. general delfin bangit. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Power Crisis in the Philippines
Our country is encountering a power crisis, not just because our dams are starting to dry up, but the elites and the counter-elites of this tiny Republic are maneuvering for power. Again, a struggle for dominance is in the offing, participated by Big Business, military and political elites.
And the group who will be more trusting than the other will lose this power struggle.
The simmering heat brought by this struggle is confined in the halls of the palace and in some hotel room somewhere in Manila and in Hongkong. And like what happens to things either artificially or naturally heated, it will cause boils and will eventually burst at the seams.
Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has promised before magistrates and foreign governments that she will keep her word and allow this elections to push thru. And she did. Arroyo signed the papers allowing the automation of this elections and Smartmatic-TIM already delivered their end of the bargain. More than 80,000 optimal reading machines were delivered, albeit, late for a few weeks. Nonetheless, they delivered.
Arroyo herself went to the poll body and filed her COC, another indication that she meant well. Arroyo ordered the military and the police to go after armed groups and even asked the DOJ to file murder charges against her foremost supporter in Mindanao. For the past few weeks, Arroyo did everything in her power to compromise, even at the point of weakening her hold on to political power.
What her detractors worry, and this is not a simple matter, is Mrs. Arroyo continues to show contempt against calls for her not to appoint a new AFP chief and a New Supreme Court justice. Groups did their jobs, using the media to communicate their opposition to Arroyo and even went as far as daring her to exercise delicadeza.
As what Singaporeans say, no can do.
Mrs. Arroyo appointed Lt. General Delfin Bangit as head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Bangit, as we all know, is a very close associate of Mrs. Arroyo. He served Arroyo well as the country's head of the PSG and the intelligence service of the military. His phenomenal rise to power is a classic case in the military promotional system.
Bangit's promotion affected Generals Rodolfo Maclang and Vice admiral Virgilio Marayag's, as well as Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez and Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon, PMA Superintendent, are members of PMA class 76, two years Bangit’s senior.
Aside from PMA Class 76, Bangit also bypassed a number of senior officers belonging to PMA Class 77.
It is expected that Mrs. Arroyo will also turn down calls for her not to appoint the replacement of Chief Justice Reynato Puno. Seemed that Mrs. Arroyo will appoint Justice Corona, her former Chief of Staff when she was still vice president, to the top SC post.
Really, its expected for someone like Mrs. Arroyo to secure both posts due to their sensitivity.
If you control the law and the armed forces, you practically control the entire State. Which, to my mind, is something very natural for a President to do.
What is so disturbing and so unnatural to all of these is simply the timing. The President will be leaving her post of 9 years in May 2010. There is this thing called "integrity" of the elections.
Bangit is a highly decorated and professional officer and he deserves it. Same goes to other members of PMA class 1978.
Yet, many believe that their quick ascension to power was actually brought by political patronage rather than professional accomplishments.
How will this administration confidently say before the public that they are pushing for clean elections when the very enforcer of the law once was accused of complicity in electoral fraud? You really don't appoint someone with a highly doubtful character to hold a very sensitive post at this transitional juncture in the nation's history. Everybody knows that the success or failure of this electoral exercise will either make or break the entire Republic. Everyone knows how the public feels about this elections, that more than 76% of the People will militate against their government if this elections fail especially in the credibility department.
It would have been better if Mrs. Arroyo extended Ibrado's and Puno's terms and just allow the next president to appoint people who enjoy his confidence.
Will Ibrado render the same loyalty to the next president? And will Corona be as impartial as his predecessor when it comes to graft cases filed against the Arroyos shortly after this administration?
Can it be that this administration knows that this elections will fail and it wants to maintain a hold of power in the event of an uprising due to a tainted and dishonest polls?
Or, as some say, this maneuverings were meant to assure the poll victory of the administration bet who remains to be very loyal to the sitting one?
It seemed that this administration is preparing for a hold-over capacity, given the very high probability of a non-proclamation of winners in the national posts.
A very high government official told a group of importers and businessmen that the prospect of a "no-proc" remains since these machines are vulnerable either to software red hat attacks or physical sabotage.
In a "no-proc" scenario, it may very well lead to a " power vacuum", which, as Enrile says, can only be resolved by the intervention of military elites. A military elite who favors a hold over of power by the Arroyo administration is the end of all these which will definitely be opposed by counter-elites and the People. Obviously, this counters what the US wants in the Philippines, since it is clearly the policy of the Obama administration to ensure a clean, honest and non-violent elections.
And the group who will be more trusting than the other will lose this power struggle.
The simmering heat brought by this struggle is confined in the halls of the palace and in some hotel room somewhere in Manila and in Hongkong. And like what happens to things either artificially or naturally heated, it will cause boils and will eventually burst at the seams.
Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has promised before magistrates and foreign governments that she will keep her word and allow this elections to push thru. And she did. Arroyo signed the papers allowing the automation of this elections and Smartmatic-TIM already delivered their end of the bargain. More than 80,000 optimal reading machines were delivered, albeit, late for a few weeks. Nonetheless, they delivered.
Arroyo herself went to the poll body and filed her COC, another indication that she meant well. Arroyo ordered the military and the police to go after armed groups and even asked the DOJ to file murder charges against her foremost supporter in Mindanao. For the past few weeks, Arroyo did everything in her power to compromise, even at the point of weakening her hold on to political power.
What her detractors worry, and this is not a simple matter, is Mrs. Arroyo continues to show contempt against calls for her not to appoint a new AFP chief and a New Supreme Court justice. Groups did their jobs, using the media to communicate their opposition to Arroyo and even went as far as daring her to exercise delicadeza.
As what Singaporeans say, no can do.
Mrs. Arroyo appointed Lt. General Delfin Bangit as head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Bangit, as we all know, is a very close associate of Mrs. Arroyo. He served Arroyo well as the country's head of the PSG and the intelligence service of the military. His phenomenal rise to power is a classic case in the military promotional system.
Bangit's promotion affected Generals Rodolfo Maclang and Vice admiral Virgilio Marayag's, as well as Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez and Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon, PMA Superintendent, are members of PMA class 76, two years Bangit’s senior.
Aside from PMA Class 76, Bangit also bypassed a number of senior officers belonging to PMA Class 77.
It is expected that Mrs. Arroyo will also turn down calls for her not to appoint the replacement of Chief Justice Reynato Puno. Seemed that Mrs. Arroyo will appoint Justice Corona, her former Chief of Staff when she was still vice president, to the top SC post.
Really, its expected for someone like Mrs. Arroyo to secure both posts due to their sensitivity.
If you control the law and the armed forces, you practically control the entire State. Which, to my mind, is something very natural for a President to do.
What is so disturbing and so unnatural to all of these is simply the timing. The President will be leaving her post of 9 years in May 2010. There is this thing called "integrity" of the elections.
Bangit is a highly decorated and professional officer and he deserves it. Same goes to other members of PMA class 1978.
Yet, many believe that their quick ascension to power was actually brought by political patronage rather than professional accomplishments.
How will this administration confidently say before the public that they are pushing for clean elections when the very enforcer of the law once was accused of complicity in electoral fraud? You really don't appoint someone with a highly doubtful character to hold a very sensitive post at this transitional juncture in the nation's history. Everybody knows that the success or failure of this electoral exercise will either make or break the entire Republic. Everyone knows how the public feels about this elections, that more than 76% of the People will militate against their government if this elections fail especially in the credibility department.
It would have been better if Mrs. Arroyo extended Ibrado's and Puno's terms and just allow the next president to appoint people who enjoy his confidence.
Will Ibrado render the same loyalty to the next president? And will Corona be as impartial as his predecessor when it comes to graft cases filed against the Arroyos shortly after this administration?
Can it be that this administration knows that this elections will fail and it wants to maintain a hold of power in the event of an uprising due to a tainted and dishonest polls?
Or, as some say, this maneuverings were meant to assure the poll victory of the administration bet who remains to be very loyal to the sitting one?
It seemed that this administration is preparing for a hold-over capacity, given the very high probability of a non-proclamation of winners in the national posts.
A very high government official told a group of importers and businessmen that the prospect of a "no-proc" remains since these machines are vulnerable either to software red hat attacks or physical sabotage.
In a "no-proc" scenario, it may very well lead to a " power vacuum", which, as Enrile says, can only be resolved by the intervention of military elites. A military elite who favors a hold over of power by the Arroyo administration is the end of all these which will definitely be opposed by counter-elites and the People. Obviously, this counters what the US wants in the Philippines, since it is clearly the policy of the Obama administration to ensure a clean, honest and non-violent elections.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Oplan August Moon
Brace yourself my friends for a tumultuous July. Some months ago, I've wrote an entry about the plan of hawks and ideologues within the Arroyo administration to create scenarios to implement Operation August Moon. This self-coup will happen the week after the SONA, on August 6, 2009. One of the indicators, say a source who requested anonymity, is the expected failure of the poll automation bidding.
" Pat, the plan involves compromising the automated bidding altogether, " says a friend privy to the plan. " Imagine, what was the reason why they approved of Smartmatic-TIM when they know for a fact, that the only capability of the group is face value of Cezar Quiambao and Ernest Villareal. That's all. The so-called consortium which was backed legally by one of Comelec chairman's closest relative was never in existence. They just used the group to get the bidding and eventually the plan was really to mess things up. That would surely create unrest especially to the De Villa group who is pushing for automation of the elections."
COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo said in an Inquirer interview that they don't want to negotiate with a "ghost". Well, I don't know about Melo, but I am totally surprised with Atty. Rafanan. Why did Rafanan failed to even check the credentials of Smartmatic-TIM before they even allowed them to take part in the bidding? Is it elementary for a member of the bar to do that?
This failure of the Comelec just shows that the entire thing was a setup, a design to really sabotage the bidding and compromise the elections in May 2010.
The plan also involves the heightening of tensions between rebel groups and the military in Mindanao since most generals distrust Southcom Brig. General Juancho Sabban. They want to keep Sabban busy in Mindanao so that he'll have his hands full while they orchestrate their moves in Metro Manila.
Sabban is the youngest member of Class 1978 yet he reportedly does not share his mistahs' dogged allegiance to Mrs. Arroyo. He was formerly a member of RAM (Rebolusyunaryong Alyansang Makabansa). Yet, says deeper sources in the military, he'll take extreme action once other members of his class went ahead with Arroyo's plan.
Moves were to create an environment of chaos and confusion, with reports of bombings, assasinations of key government officials and members of the media. These black operations will be blamed to so-called JI or Al-qaeda members who, a week ago, was reportedly in the country already. News about their existence were floated to the media to be used later on by the government in the blame game.
A move against Lacson accuser former police official Cezar Mancao is reportedly also in the pipeline. The source refused to say what would happen to Mancao.
This early, talks that PMA Class 1976 of which the present AFP Chief of Staff General Ibrado belongs to and PMA Class 1978 were already at logger heads. Army Chief Lt. General Delfin Bangit is reportedly filling up sensitive posts without the knowledge of Ibrado.
Bear in mind that all sensitive positions right now in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are occupied by members of Class 1978. The Air Force is headed by Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena. The entire NCRPO which has, under its disposal, the anti-coup task force, is headed by Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales while the head of the Manila Police District which provides external security of Malacanang right now is headed by Director Rodolfo Magtibay.
Members of Class 1976 occupy the Central Command (Lt. Gen. Isagani Cachuela), the Navy (Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez) and the Marines (Major Gen. Ben Mohammad Dolorfino). The AFP leadership is also being occupied by a PMA class 1976 member (Ibrado) and the PNP (Director General Jesus Verzosa).
The critical commands (Army and Air Force) are under the command of members of PMA Class 1978 while those with minimal numbers (the Marines and the Navy) were entrusted to PMA Class 1976.
Sources say Mrs. Arroyo's group will ease Ibrado out prior to the 2010 elections. They will use as a pretext this August 6 affair. Members of Class 1978 will move decisively ten days after July 27.
The plan is expected to take place on August 6, 2009, a full ten days after the SONA (SONA is slated on July 27, the Monday of the fourth week of July).
A state of martial rule will be imposed for six months, while members of Arroyo's devilish clan tinker with the Constitution. Parliamentary elections are slated on May 2010.
Other members of Class 1978 involved in this plan:
In GHQ, Camp Aguinaldo:
J2 (Inteligence) – Rear Adm. Victor Martir (PN – Philippine Navy)
Deputy J2 – Commodore EfrenTedor (PN)
J3 (Operations)- Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza (PA – Philippine Army)
J6 (Commel) – Maj. Gen. Jonathan Martir (PM – Philippine Marines)
J7 (Civil-Military Relations) – Maj. Gen. Sealana (PA)
DND-BAC Chairman – Brig. Gen. Gregorio Paduganan (PAF – Philippine Air Force)
Chief of Engineers – Maj. Gen. Rudyval Cabading (PA)
ISAFP – Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza (PAF)
Presidential Security Group – Brig. Gen. Celedonio Boquiren (PAF)
In the Army, six out of 10 infantry divisions are under the control of the Class of ’78 members, namely:
Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit – Commanding General of the Philippine Army
Maj. Gen. Roland Detabali – CG, Southern Luzon Command
Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustecteca – CG, 1st Infantry Division (Zamboanga del Norte)
Brig. Gen Florante Martinez – OIC, 2nd Infantry Division (Tanay, Rizal)
Maj. Gen. Vic Porto – CG, 3rd Infantry Division (Panay Island)
Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva – CG, 7th Infantry Division (Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija)
Maj. Gen. Manuel Tabaquero – CG, 8th Infantry Division (Catbalogan, Samar)
Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu – CG, 10th Infantry Division (Caraga Region)
In the Air Force, there is Maj. Gen. Oscar Rabena as Commanding General, and Brig. Gen Jesus Fajardo – CG, 710th Special Operations Wing as well as Col. Carlix Donila – Commander, 530th Air Base Wing (Zamboanga).
And in the Navy, the chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore Feliciano Angue, as well as heading the most strategically-located naval station in Cavite is Commodore Nestor Los Banes.
So now the game of the generals are on! Who'll be check mated in the end?
Now that I already revealed their plan in public, what now? Will they proceed with zero hour or not?
The best strategy against this devilish plan is expose them in public. I already did my part. How about the thousands of Patriots out there? Will you do yours?
" Pat, the plan involves compromising the automated bidding altogether, " says a friend privy to the plan. " Imagine, what was the reason why they approved of Smartmatic-TIM when they know for a fact, that the only capability of the group is face value of Cezar Quiambao and Ernest Villareal. That's all. The so-called consortium which was backed legally by one of Comelec chairman's closest relative was never in existence. They just used the group to get the bidding and eventually the plan was really to mess things up. That would surely create unrest especially to the De Villa group who is pushing for automation of the elections."
COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo said in an Inquirer interview that they don't want to negotiate with a "ghost". Well, I don't know about Melo, but I am totally surprised with Atty. Rafanan. Why did Rafanan failed to even check the credentials of Smartmatic-TIM before they even allowed them to take part in the bidding? Is it elementary for a member of the bar to do that?
This failure of the Comelec just shows that the entire thing was a setup, a design to really sabotage the bidding and compromise the elections in May 2010.
The plan also involves the heightening of tensions between rebel groups and the military in Mindanao since most generals distrust Southcom Brig. General Juancho Sabban. They want to keep Sabban busy in Mindanao so that he'll have his hands full while they orchestrate their moves in Metro Manila.
Sabban is the youngest member of Class 1978 yet he reportedly does not share his mistahs' dogged allegiance to Mrs. Arroyo. He was formerly a member of RAM (Rebolusyunaryong Alyansang Makabansa). Yet, says deeper sources in the military, he'll take extreme action once other members of his class went ahead with Arroyo's plan.
Moves were to create an environment of chaos and confusion, with reports of bombings, assasinations of key government officials and members of the media. These black operations will be blamed to so-called JI or Al-qaeda members who, a week ago, was reportedly in the country already. News about their existence were floated to the media to be used later on by the government in the blame game.
A move against Lacson accuser former police official Cezar Mancao is reportedly also in the pipeline. The source refused to say what would happen to Mancao.
This early, talks that PMA Class 1976 of which the present AFP Chief of Staff General Ibrado belongs to and PMA Class 1978 were already at logger heads. Army Chief Lt. General Delfin Bangit is reportedly filling up sensitive posts without the knowledge of Ibrado.
Bear in mind that all sensitive positions right now in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are occupied by members of Class 1978. The Air Force is headed by Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena. The entire NCRPO which has, under its disposal, the anti-coup task force, is headed by Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales while the head of the Manila Police District which provides external security of Malacanang right now is headed by Director Rodolfo Magtibay.
Members of Class 1976 occupy the Central Command (Lt. Gen. Isagani Cachuela), the Navy (Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez) and the Marines (Major Gen. Ben Mohammad Dolorfino). The AFP leadership is also being occupied by a PMA class 1976 member (Ibrado) and the PNP (Director General Jesus Verzosa).
The critical commands (Army and Air Force) are under the command of members of PMA Class 1978 while those with minimal numbers (the Marines and the Navy) were entrusted to PMA Class 1976.
Sources say Mrs. Arroyo's group will ease Ibrado out prior to the 2010 elections. They will use as a pretext this August 6 affair. Members of Class 1978 will move decisively ten days after July 27.
The plan is expected to take place on August 6, 2009, a full ten days after the SONA (SONA is slated on July 27, the Monday of the fourth week of July).
A state of martial rule will be imposed for six months, while members of Arroyo's devilish clan tinker with the Constitution. Parliamentary elections are slated on May 2010.
Other members of Class 1978 involved in this plan:
In GHQ, Camp Aguinaldo:
J2 (Inteligence) – Rear Adm. Victor Martir (PN – Philippine Navy)
Deputy J2 – Commodore EfrenTedor (PN)
J3 (Operations)- Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza (PA – Philippine Army)
J6 (Commel) – Maj. Gen. Jonathan Martir (PM – Philippine Marines)
J7 (Civil-Military Relations) – Maj. Gen. Sealana (PA)
DND-BAC Chairman – Brig. Gen. Gregorio Paduganan (PAF – Philippine Air Force)
Chief of Engineers – Maj. Gen. Rudyval Cabading (PA)
ISAFP – Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza (PAF)
Presidential Security Group – Brig. Gen. Celedonio Boquiren (PAF)
In the Army, six out of 10 infantry divisions are under the control of the Class of ’78 members, namely:
Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit – Commanding General of the Philippine Army
Maj. Gen. Roland Detabali – CG, Southern Luzon Command
Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustecteca – CG, 1st Infantry Division (Zamboanga del Norte)
Brig. Gen Florante Martinez – OIC, 2nd Infantry Division (Tanay, Rizal)
Maj. Gen. Vic Porto – CG, 3rd Infantry Division (Panay Island)
Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva – CG, 7th Infantry Division (Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija)
Maj. Gen. Manuel Tabaquero – CG, 8th Infantry Division (Catbalogan, Samar)
Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu – CG, 10th Infantry Division (Caraga Region)
In the Air Force, there is Maj. Gen. Oscar Rabena as Commanding General, and Brig. Gen Jesus Fajardo – CG, 710th Special Operations Wing as well as Col. Carlix Donila – Commander, 530th Air Base Wing (Zamboanga).
And in the Navy, the chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore Feliciano Angue, as well as heading the most strategically-located naval station in Cavite is Commodore Nestor Los Banes.
So now the game of the generals are on! Who'll be check mated in the end?
Now that I already revealed their plan in public, what now? Will they proceed with zero hour or not?
The best strategy against this devilish plan is expose them in public. I already did my part. How about the thousands of Patriots out there? Will you do yours?
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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.
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.
Yano retires to become Ambassador
Why the sudden haste for AFP Chief of Staff Alex Yano to abandon the AFP Top post on May 1? Yano is retiring one month early to give way to new AFP Chief of Staff Ibrado. As I said in my previous post, Ibrado is just a bogey to allow Mrs. Arroyo's hatchet man, Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit to assume the top command in the May 2010. Ibrado will also retire one month early, on February 2010 to allow Bangit to assume full control of the military during the 2010 elections.
Why Bangit as AFP Chief of Staff in 2010? Two reasons: First, to take an active part in the administration victory in 2010 and two, to assume top command in the event of a declaration of a State of Emergency or worst, martial rule should a failure of elections happen.
Bangit is this administration's final option for a term extension.
As we speak, Yano is preparing for his "graceful" exit from the military to an ambassadorial post in Brunei Darussalam. Yano will be joining the growing ranks of ex-military men in the bureaucracy.
Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that Yano will be a fitting member of the diplomatic corps and will serve as a crucial cog of the government panel in negotiations with Brunei Darussalam.
What Teodoro is NOT saying is this---Yano opted to retire early to save face. After Teodoro's announcement of Ibrado's appointment, Yano became a "lame duck". Projects and plans are not submitted to Yano's office anymore. Poor Yano. The professional soldier has been politicized.
Why Bangit as AFP Chief of Staff in 2010? Two reasons: First, to take an active part in the administration victory in 2010 and two, to assume top command in the event of a declaration of a State of Emergency or worst, martial rule should a failure of elections happen.
Bangit is this administration's final option for a term extension.
As we speak, Yano is preparing for his "graceful" exit from the military to an ambassadorial post in Brunei Darussalam. Yano will be joining the growing ranks of ex-military men in the bureaucracy.
Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that Yano will be a fitting member of the diplomatic corps and will serve as a crucial cog of the government panel in negotiations with Brunei Darussalam.
What Teodoro is NOT saying is this---Yano opted to retire early to save face. After Teodoro's announcement of Ibrado's appointment, Yano became a "lame duck". Projects and plans are not submitted to Yano's office anymore. Poor Yano. The professional soldier has been politicized.
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