Manila - The new military chief of the
Philippines on Wednesday said he would work toward safe, free and fair voting in May's national elections amid fears that his appointment was part of a plot to disrupt the crucial polls. General Delfin Bangit has been accused of participating in cheating in the 2004 elections to ensure President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's victory. He has denied the allegations.
"Amidst all the fears, controversies and issues, I want to assure each and every Filipino that I am for the healthy
exercise of democracy," he said in a speech at a ceremony to mark his appointment as chief of staff.
"I will do everything in my power to fight the enemies of democracy," he added. "We will protect your votes as if they were our own. This is not lip service."
In defending his often-criticized loyalty to Arroyo, Bangit said the president has never asked him to do anything illegal during his tenure as chief of the presidential
security group from 2003 to 2007.
Bangit acknowledged that he was taking the post of military chief at a "very delicate time" with just two months before more than 50 million Filipinos are set to elect their next president.
But he said he brought no hidden agenda to his position. "I will not allow anybody to use me for partisan politics," he said.
Bangit also appealed to politicians to leave the armed forces out of the politicking. "We could do more for our country if you let us focus on our mission," he said, claiming that involvement in politics could be harmful to the military's reputation for professionalism.
Bangit said the military has "concrete plans" to ensure the elections were safe and fair but did not mention details. The government has developed an overall strategy for the physical security of
election officers and polling stations on voting day, which includes the military.
For the first time in the Philippines, this year's paper ballots are to be counted electronically with the results transmitted to a central server.
More than 18,000 national and local posts are up for grabs in the May 10 elections, including those of president, vice president, senators, members of the
House of Representatives and local officials.
