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Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit formally assumes his title as the new Chief of Staff in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) today during the Retirement and Change of Command Ceremony held in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
 

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo acknowledged in her speech the military efforts of Gen. Victor Ibrado in his efforts in eradicating the pressing problems of terrorism in the country and the expected continuous effort of Lt. Gen. Bangit, in delivering a smooth transition of the administration and, at the same time, providing a relentless service to uphold the constitution and protection of the Filipino people.
 

The turnover was headed by a speech from retiring AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, who is celebrating his 56birthday today, which is also the mandatory retirement age in the 120,000-strong AFP.
 

Ibrado calls for professionalism and not careerism as it insight insidious malice and is the arch-enemy of professionalism. “Just do your job” he further stresses in his speech as it equates to professionalism which has been his personal motto during his military career.
 

Bangit also stresses impartiality in his speech by saying that he will not allow himself to take part in any partisan politics. According to him, his career did not start from being the head of the Intelligence office of the AFP but his strong dedication from his early years in military service.

Bangit also answers his critics by saying “never have I received illegal orders from (her)” referring to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who presented earlier to him the Chief of Staff Saber formally inducting him as the new AFP Chief of Staff.
 

Bangit is expected to hold office as AFP Chief of Staff for a year before he meet the mandatory retirement age of 56.(KBR)