Ochoa to take over Bangit's post

MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa will take over the top AFP post if chief of staff Gen. Delfin Bangit is allowed to retire ahead of schedule on June 22.

“Verbally I was informed by General Bangit himself. Actually, the Board of Generals met yesterday (June 17). They recommended that I would act as chief of staff,” Ochoa said.

“I will act as a caretaker for the remaining days from 22 to 30 of June until a permanent chief of staff is appointed on July 1,” he added.

Bangit is seeking Malacañang’s permission to retire on June 22, or more than a year ahead of his scheduled retirement on July 31, 2011.

Bangit opted for early retirement after president-elect Benigno Aquino III declared that he would name a new AFP chief after his inauguration on June 30.

Bangit received his appointment as AFP chief only last March 10.

Ochoa, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class ’77, said he was grateful to the Aquino camp for considering him for the top military post.

“I am very thankful that I am being considered,” he said.

Ochoa was part of the presidential security group during the administration of Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino. He was among those who defended her administration from numerous coup attempts.

Ochoa represented Bangit in an earthquake drill at Camp Aguinaldo organized by the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

The AFP chief skipped the event to go to Baguio for a farewell visit to the PMA.

He is scheduled to attend today’s Incorporation Day of the PMA class 2014.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said he has asked President Arroyo to approve Bangit’s request for early retirement.

“I signed it (Bangit’s request) a while ago and I already forwarded my recommendation to Malacañang,” Gonzales told reporters on the sidelines of the earthquake drill.

“I was moved by his (Bangit) reason for choosing June 22. He said he wants to give full time to his daughter when she celebrates her birthday (on June 23),” the defense chief said.