NAGBITIW NA DND OIC, NAGSALITA NA

Binasag na ni Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. ang kanyang katahimikan kaugnay sa kanyang pagbibitiw sa kanyang puwesto nitong nakaraan.

Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ni Faustino na nagbitiw siya sa kaniyang tungkulin matapos niyang malaman lang sa “mga balita at social media” ang tungkol sa pagkakatalaga sa bagong hepe ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“With the utmost respect, I submitted my irrevocable letter of resignation to the President, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., on Friday, January 6, 2023, after learning only from news and social media reports that an oath of office of the new Chief of Staff, AFP had taken place at Malacañang,” saad ni Faustino.

Ang tinutukoy ni Faustino ay ang ginawang pagbabalik ni Marcos kay General Andres Centino bilang hepe ng AFP.

Pinalitan ni Centino sa naturang puwesto si Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro, na naging hepe ng AFP sa loob lamang ng limang buwan. Si Centino ang nakaupong AFP mula November 12, 2021 hanggang August 8, 2022.

Ayon pa kay Faustino, hindi niya papayagang “mabahiran, masira o mapulitika” ang reputasyon ng AFP at nangako siyang pananatilihin ang pagpapahalaga sa organisasyon.

“[The AFP] has undeniably proven its mettle over the decades. It is a highly disciplined and competent organization that will survive under any given circumstance,” sabi ni Faustino.

“Thus, fully cognizant of the selfless sacrifice and courage of our troops and civilian human resources, I cannot allow the AFP’s reputation to be tarnished, maligned, or politicized. I assure everyone that I will always hold the AFP in high esteem, which its men and women have painstakingly earned,” dagdag pa niya.

Itinalaga naman si Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. bilang hepe ng DND.