MANILA, Philippines - Inihayag ngayon ni senatorial aspirant Joey de Venecia na ikinadismaya at ikinaalarma niya ang ulat na “outburst at walkout” ng bagong AFP Chief of Staff General Delfin Bangit sa isang media interview sa Camp Aguinaldo kahapon.
Una nang napaulat na napikon si Gen. Bangit matapos tanungin ng isang journalist kung bakit hindi sila nag-uusap ni Philippine National Police Director-General Jesus Versoza sa ginanap na 113th founding anniversary ng Philippine Army kamakalawa.
Lumabas pa sa pahayagan na matapos sabihin ni General Bangit na mali ang TV reporter ay itinigil na nito ang interview, tumayo at umalis patungo sa kanyang naghihintay na sasakyan.
“Such an un-gentlemanly tantrum and hostile reply from the highest-ranking soldier of the nation is unfortunate and most alarming,” ani de Venecia, na tumatakbo sa ilalim ng Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino ticket.
Ayon pa sa IT businessman, “the actuation of the AFP Chief of Staff is strangely similar to the trademark short fuse of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.”
Sinabi ni de Venecia na napaulat din na inakusahan ni General Bangit ang media na nagpapalabas ng negatibong reports ukol sa problema ng ilang senior military officials.
“General Bangit must understand that it is the responsibility of journalists to report on events as these are gleaned from their news-gathering activities, even if these are unpleasant for officials in government.”
“We respectfully give this unsolicited advice to General Bangit: address the issues squarely rather than shoot the messenger,” pahayag ni de Venecia. (Butch Quejada)