Bangit no-show at AFP-PNP meet on election security

By Anthony Vargas (Dateline Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines – After his Monday walkout from a media interview in Fort Bonifacio, General Delfin Bangit, newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, was a no show at a joint military and police conference on election security preparations held Tuesday in Camp Crame.

Director General Jesus Versoza, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the conference was one of the final steps in the security preparations for the May 10 synchronized local and national elections.

Except for Bangit, senior military officials that attended the conference included Lt. General Rodrigo Maclang, Military vice-chief of staff, and Major General Gaudencio Pangilinan, Military Operations chief.

Also present in the conference were Henrietta de Villa, former Ambassador to Vatican City and chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and Lawyer Macur Marohombsar, legal division chief of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Lt. Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, AFP chief public information officer, explained the absence of Bangit by saying the presence of the AFP chief is not highly needed in the joint police and military security meeting.

“His presence is not needed here… Our task force HOPE commander is Lt. General Maclang,” Burgos said.

Burgos also clarified that Bangit did not walk out from the media interview in Fort Bonifacio last Monday.

“There was no walkout, there was no press conference… And he is hurrying up for another meeting,” Burgos said.

Displeased over current issues hounding the military, Bangit lost his cool as members of the media were about to interview the AFP chief and ask him about his alleged rift with PNP Director General Jesus Versoza.

Bangit blurted out to the surprise of members of the media, “Pag may sinabi ako, masama ako, pag wala akong sinabi, masama pa rin ako” [Damned if I say something, damned if I don’t].

“My Public Information Officer will take care of everything,” Bangit added, looking very displeased. He walked away leaving a group of stunned reporters.