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ARMY HONORS GEN BANGIT IN A TESTIMONIAL PARADE
FORT BONIFACIO, METRO MANILA - The Philippine Army will render a
testimonial review in honor of AFP chief and former Army commanding
general General Delfin N Bangit at the Hunters ROTC Guerilla Parade
Ground, Headquarters Philippine Army this afternoon.
Officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees will pay tribute to
an exceptional leader, committed public servant, and a true Filipino
soldier as he opted to retire from the military service earlier than his
compulsory retirement. Gen Bangit has stated that his decision to retire
early is a personal decision made for the good of the Filipino people
and the organization that he belongs in.
Gen Bangit served as Army Chief from 01 May 2009 to 10 March 2010. He
assumed as the 51st Commanding General with the challenge to sustain the
momentum especially in the crucial time of the counter-insurgency
campaign. During his time, the Army was seen in a different light as it
focused more on performing non-traditional roles which had been
effective in promoting peace and development in the country. Gen Bangit
was known for conceptualizing the Army's four ACEs: the Army's Concern
for the Environment, Army's Concern for Engineering, Army's Combat
Excellence and Advocacy for Credible Elections. He applied these four
ACEs in the Army's fulfillment of its mission and mandate to provide a
safe and secure environment for the Filipino people.
Gen Bangit left a mark in the hearts of Army personnel for his
commitment to serve, not just the soldiers, but the civilian workforce
of the Army as well. He instituted the opening of Army stores in every
infantry division and various field units nationwide. Army stores offer
the comfort of immediately replacing the uniforms of brave soldiers,
especially those who fight in the frontlines.
Adding to the long list of the Army's initiative under his term is the
birth of the Philippine Army Shuttle System. The shuttle system is
mainly a response to the President's guidance during the May 1, 2009
turn-over ceremony where she said that all civilian and military
personnel, including their dependents, should be assisted financially so
that they could cope with the global financial crisis that threatened
everyone.
He is well-loved and well-respected by the soldiers because he
unhesitatingly gave awards and medals to deserving personnel,
on-the-spot promotions, and financial assistance, thereby uplifting the
morale and welfare of the troops. In almost 11 months in office, he was
able to deliver concrete results and has indeed sustained the gains made
by PA units.
As the 40th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen
Bangit greatly contributed to one of the significant undertakings the
Filipino people and the country faced - the conduct of the first
automated elections in the country. With his leadership, the AFP has
been instrumental in helping ensure the peaceful and credible conduct of
polls.
The Philippine Army manifests, through the Testimonial Review, its
respect and admiration for Gen Bangit for his thrusts to professionalize
the organization, for continually inspiring the soldiers, and for the
reforms that he instituted while serving major and sensitive posts in
the AFP. #
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