Ibrado tells troops: Shun partisan politics

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac , Philippines  – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado has reminded his men to shun partisan politics in the May 2010 elections.

Ibrado, who will retire on March 10, visited the Northern Luzon Command here to bid goodbye to the officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees amid calls for an extension of his term by some sectors.

Ibrado said that although soldiers are in the government service, any political party or personality should not use them for their own advantage in the election.

“Choose a candidate who is competent, and you should not sell or compromise your votes,” he said, emphasizing that the soldiers’ duty is to assist the Commission on Elections to ensure orderly, peaceful and honest elections.

Ibrado took the opportunity to congratulate the Northern Luzon Command for its significant accomplishments and success against insurgency in Northern and Central Luzon.

“You have made Northern and Central Luzon a better and safer place for the community. Thank you for your support, without you I cannot accomplish things,” he said.

“Masyado nang matagal ang labanan (The fighting has been dragging on for too long), and I can say, steadily, the strength of our enemies is declining considering the more than 100 rebel personalities captured and surrendered and 135 firearms confiscated as of May,” he said.

Ibrado also announced the promotion of Northern Luzon Command chief Major Gen. Ricardo David Jr. to lieutenant general.

Ibrado, a member of PMA “Magilas” Class 1976, will turn 56 on March 10, the mandatory retirement age for soldiers. 

He said he wants to make sure that he will leave behind a solid Team AFP committed to the promotion of peace, progress and development.

The outgoing chief of staff started making the rounds of military camps last month, emphasizing the AFP’s role in the first automated elections to be held in the country.

He said he is not keen on an extension because he wants to show that the AFP is a very strong organization and nobody is indispensable.

Ibrado was accompanied by Rear Adm. Victor Emmanuel Martir (J2, AFP), Maj. Gen. Gaudencio Pagilinan (J3, AFP), Brig. Gen. Victor Felix (Acting J7, AFP), Col. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and First Chief Master Sgt. Edilberto Lustre.

In Zamboanga, the outgoing AFP top brass said the military will continue to step up its campaign against the insurgency and the Abu Sayyaf militants.

Speaking during his farewell visit at the Western Mindanao Command, Ibrado declined to comment on who will succeed him or who will be appointed by President Arroyo.

However, he said that all senior AFP officials with three-star ranks are qualified for the post.

Word from military insiders has it that Philippine Army (PA) Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit remains a top contender, being a former Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander and member of the PMA Class 1978, which has Arroyo as a adopted member.

Ibrado also brushed aside the possibility that former military officials who are running for different elective positions will influence the soldiers to campaign for them.