Radio dzXL reported Thursday that PNP chief Jesus Verzosa was heartened upon learning that Aquino will retain him once the latter assumes the presidency June 30.
Verzosa had stressed "transformation and reform" in the police force under his watch. A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1976, Verzosa was named PNP chief in September 2008. He is scheduled to retire on December 25 this year.
On Wednesday, Aquino told reporters he is inclined to retain Verzosa as PNP chief, but not Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit. [See: Noynoy on AFP chief Bangit: He must go]
For its part, the AFP assured it and Bangit will remain professional and will "obey and follow orders" of the incoming commander-in-chief.
"As a professional soldier, he will just obey and follow orders and in the meantime he will just continue serving and working for the AFP," AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Even the AFP itself will respect Aquino's position on the matter, he said.
"Pananaw yan ng magiging pangulo, nirerespeto ng AFP yan (It is the opinion of the incoming president and the AFP will respect that)," he added. "We are governed by systems and procedures."
He also stressed the AFP is professional and disciplined, and is centered not on personalities but on the institution.
"Ang ating organization ay professional at disciplined. Hindi naman kami sa personality but more on the institution patuloy kami sa pagtupad sa tungkulin at mananatili ang pag-adhere namin sa chain of command (Our organization is professional and disciplined. We are centered not on personalities but on the institution. We will continue to do our duty and adhere to the chain of command)," Burgos said.
Honorary member
Bangit is perceived to be close to outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, having been with her since she was vice president. Bangit is a member of the PMA "Makatarungan" Class of 1978, which counts Mrs. Arroyo as an honorary member.
On the other hand, Burgos said Aquino's comments about Bangit Wednesday has not affected the morale of the AFP.
"Our troops' morale remains high. We cannot afford to get our morale low. We will continue to do our duty as soldiers," he said.
Bangit is not due to retire until July 31, 2011.
Meanwhile, Burgos said the AFP will wait for the 15th Congress and Commission on Appointments to convene in July to act on the promotions of some 300 officers.
The promotions were deemed bypassed in the 14th Congress due to lack of time.
"Patuloy silang tutugon at gagampanan ang tungkulin dahil walang pagbabago. Hihintayin ang pag-convene ng next Congress (They will continue to do their duty as if nothing happened. They will wait for the next Congress to convene)," Burgos said. — RSJ/LBG
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