Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. will tour military camps nationwide this month, a tradition for top commanders before they retire.
However, Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, AFP public information chief, could not say if Esperon’s scheduled visits are part of the traditional exit calls on troops.
“It could be because it’s the start of the year and there is a new guidance on internal security operations,” he said.
Bacarro said that some military units have already started preparing testimonial ceremonies for Esperon.
“There is a testimonial in honor of the chief of staff at the PMA (Philippine Military Academy) that is being scheduled,” he said.
Testimonial ceremonies are held to honor outgoing military commanders, Bacarro said.
Earlier, Esperon said it is the sole prerogative of the President whether or not he would be extended.
He plans to go around the country as a tourist with his wife Lorna, he added.
Esperon is expected to bow out of military service on Feb. 9, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, a potential successor of Esperon, has vowed to respect Mrs. Arroyo’s decision if she chooses to extend the AFP chief’s term.
Under the Constitution, an AFP chief of staff could serve a full three-year term. – James Mananghaya