GMA starts bidding troops goodbye

MANILA, Philippines - The commander-in-chief has started bidding goodbye to the troops.

President Arroyo on Tuesday paid a farewell call on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and reminded its members of the benefits that her administration has given them.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the “private visit” at Camp Aguinaldo did not dwell on any controversial issue such as the proposed term extension of AFP chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado or the May elections.

“It was a farewell visit. She took that time to thank the soldiers for their loyal service to the country. She also said she was genuinely concerned about the welfare of soldiers so she made sure the benefits of soldiers – the pay and allowances – were increased during her term,” he said.

“Basically that was her message. There were no instructions about the elections... There was no mention of any extension (of Ibrado’s term), no mention of any appointment,” he added.

A source from the AFP who attended the private meeting said the President was in a good mood during the visit, which was attended by around 2,000 soldiers from General Headquarters.

“The visit was filled with light moments. She (President Arroyo) thanked the military for their sacrifices for the country,” the source who requested anonymity told The STAR.

Brawner said the President was welcomed by AFP acting chief of staff Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, other top military

officials, and soldiers. Ibrado was in Thailand during the President’s visit and was scheduled to return to the country yesterday.

“It was a farewell (call) because she is preparing to step down as president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces,” he said.

Mrs. Arroyo ends her term in June after serving as president for more than nine years. She is seeking a congressional seat representing the second district of Pampanga, the first president ever to run for a lower position.

On the other hand, Ibrado, who assumed his post last June, will retire from military service on March 10 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. Various sectors, however, have called for the extension of Ibrado’s term until June 30 to ensure the neutrality of the military during the May polls.

Malacañang has yet to decide on the matter but Ibrado himself has started bidding farewell to his troops as early as last month.

Brawner said it was a coincidence that Arroyo’s visit happened during the start of the campaign period and at a time when Ibrado is out of the country.

“It is a coincidence. She did not mention anything about campaigning. There was no mention of politics... The trip of Gen. Ibrado was scheduled a long time ago,” he clarified, adding that the visit “wasn’t just for one particular person but it was for the organization.”

Brawner said the President’s meeting with the soldiers started at 2:30 p.m. and ended a little past three. The media were not allowed to cover the visit.

The AFP spokesman said President Arroyo then had a “boodle fight” with the soldiers and shared with them a meal consisting of pansit (noodles), roast chicken, banana and bread.

A boodle fight is a communal meal where food is laid out on banana leaves.

The visit boosted the morale of the troops who were given the sensitive task of ensuring peaceful elections, a source said.

“She is bidding farewell. We are happy we were visited by our commander-in-chief,” the source said.

The source said Mrs. Arroyo will likely visit the different major services to make farewell calls. “She served as our commander-in-chief for nine years so it is but proper she bid farewell to the major services.” Ten chiefs of staff have served under Mrs. Arroyo.

Malacañang said Mrs. Arroyo’s farewell call to the military will dispel notions that she wants to remain in power even beyond her term.

“If the President visits Camp Aguinaldo to say farewell to the military, then it is obvious that she is saying farewell to her job,” deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said in a phone interview.

“If that does not convince the critics of the President then nothing ever will.”

Olivar said the President will start her campaign for a congressional seat in March but believes that she can still perform her functions.

“She will still do her job even if she is already campaigning,” he said.