Friday, June 11, 2010

News update Military bishop downplays coup over Noynoy-Bangit row

The country's Catholic military bishop downplayed Friday the threat of a coup brewing in the wake of the row between President-elect Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III and Armed Forces chief of staff Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit.

Military bishop Leopoldo Tumulak branded as unfounded reports of military adventurism, much less a military takeover, during Aquino’s presidency.

“I don’t think so. General Bangit does not believe in coup d’ etat. I think he is a professional soldier. If he says that he won’t leave, I’m very certain he will do his work," Tumulak said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Thursday night.

On the other hand, he said he wants to hear what Bangit has to say on the matter.

“I want to listen first to the feelings of General Bangit. The important thing is to know what is in his heart," he said.

Aquino had said that he would not retain Bangit due to suspicion that his loyalty is with outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

But Bangit said he would not vacate his post, at least until June 30, as doing so would violate his duty as a military officer and tantamount to abandonment of post.

He also lashed out at his critics pressuring him to tender his courtesy resignation, saying that they are attempting to politicize the military. — LBG