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Accomplishments of General Delfin N Bangit Chief of Staff, AFP
General Delfin N. Bangit, the leader of 125,000 strong men and women of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines, hails from San Mateo, Rizal where
he spent his childhood years. He grew up as an achiever and worked hard
to finish his schooling. As fate would have it, he entered Philippine
Military Academy (already the third from his family) in 1974 and became
a member of the PMA Class "Makatarungan" of 1978.
Prior to his assumption as the AFP Chief in March 2010, Gen. Bangit
first became the 51st Commanding General of the Philippine Army from May
2009 until March 2010. Upon becoming the Army Chief, Gen. Bangit had
large shoes to fit in as his predecessors had done well during their
stint as Army Chief. Gen. Bangit was not deterred by this. Instead, he
saw this as an opportunity to work hard in accomplishing his duty as the
head of the Army.
The highlights of Gen Bangit's term as the Army Chief were when the Army
was seen in a different light as it performed non-traditional roles that
had been effective in promoting peace and development in the country. It
was during his term when two super typhoons "Ondoy" and "Pepeng" hit the
country that the Army was able to show its deeper love and concern for
its fellowmen, saving thousands of lives and risking their own.
Gen Bangit was known for conceptualizing the 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 fulfilment of its mission and mandate to provide
a safe and secure environment for the Filipino people conducive to
progress and development.
As the Army Chief, Gen Bangit was known to have stressed on the soldiers
the Advocacy for Credible Elections. And when he assumed as the AFP
chief, the military was able to fulfil its mission and greatly
contributed to very peaceful and credible first ever Automated Elections
in the country.
Gen. Bangit stressed that the AFP will not participate in any partisan
politics, except to exercise the right of suffrage. The AFP will execute
legal orders by COMELEC and higher office. The AFP will remain as a
force that will quell any group that intends to disturb the conduct of
peaceful elections. In the days and weeks after the elections, the AFP
was one with the citizenry in triumphantly celebrating - Honest, Orderly
and Peaceful Elections (HOPE) fulfilled.
According to Gen Bangit, the position of the AFP Chief of Staff is
indeed an honor and privilege. Similarly, Bangit saw this as a challenge
to sustain the good work that was started by his predecessors.
Other major initiatives undertaken by the Philippine Army under his term
was 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. Another development was the acquisition of six new
Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) to support Army internal security
operations.
There was also the Philippine Army Shuttle System adding to the long
list of Army's initiative under his term. The shuttle system is mainly a
response to the President's guidance during the Army Chief's Turnover
Ceremony on May 1, 2009 where she said that all civilian and military
personnel, together with their dependents, should be assisted
financially so that they could cope with the global financial crisis
that threatened each and everyone.
He also gave awards and medals for deserving personnel, On-the-Spot
promotions, and financial assistance to promote morale and welfare to
the personnel.
All these and many more highlighted the military career of Gen Bangit.
Much has been said about him, but he just worked on it and extended his
care to his beloved soldiers. His being a combat officer and a member of
the intelligence unit paved the way for his bigger responsibilities as a
military officer. Before becoming the Army Chief, Gen. Bangit was the
Commander of the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), Armed Forces of the
Philippines from May 6, 2008 to June 12, 2009. He also became the
Commanding General, 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army from
September 11, 2007 to May 6, 2008; Chief, Intelligence Service, Armed
Forces of the Philippines from August 16, 2006 to September 5, 2007; and
Group Commander, Presidential Security Group from February 12, 2003 to
September 11, 2007, among others.
For his military service to the country and to the Filipino people, Gen.
Bangit received numerous awards, medals, commendations, and
recognitions. He is a recipient of three Philippine Legion of Honor
Order of Officer, five Distinguished Service Stars, three Bronze Cross
Medals, Silver Wing Medal, 20 Military Merit Medals, and numerous
plaques and commendations both from the military and civilian
institutions. He is also among the few recipients of the US Army
Commendation Medal, which he earned after the successful conduct of a
32-nation conference of Chiefs of Pacific Armies. He also received the
Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) Award from the President of the
United States for exhibiting the highest standard of dedication and
professional competence instrumental in ensuring the Philippine Army's
readiness in combating international terrorists.
Gen. Bangit could not have done this without the support of his family
whom he is most proud of. He is married to Daisy Magdangal-Bangit and
they have three children: Harold, Diane, and Hector.
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