Former rebel colonel recuperating from stroke

Retired colonel Billy Bibit, a former military rebel, who suffered stoke last Friday, is now conscious and recuperating at the St. Lukes Medical Center. This was according to Pastor ‘Boy’ Saycon, secretary general of the Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA), a civil society group, in an interview with radio DzBB Saturday. Saycon said that he had tried to visit Bibit, but he was not allowed by doctors to enter his room. “Nakadaan ako pero hindi nakapasok, but we were advised na conscious na siya at nagre-recuperate sa ICU (intensive care unit)." Saycon said that Bibit will stlll have to undergo numerous medical tests. “He has to stay longer (in the hospital) para mabantayan mabuti. Dapat matignan mabuti, bakit biglang tumaas ang presyon ng dugo niya," he added. Saycon said Bibit is not a heavy drinker, but he is known to be a big eater. Saycon added that Bibit was prepared to stay away from politics. “He wanted to be known as a farmer rather than a military man," Saycon said. Bibit was a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1972, and was a Constabulary lieutenant colonel when he joined the original Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), then headed by Col. Gregorio Honasan, who would later become senator. RAM was instrumental in toppling the Marcos administration in February 1986. During the Aquino administration, Bibit was jailed following the failed December 1989 coup. He was rescued from detention by comrades in the rebel military movement. In 2001, Bibit sided with the camp of then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who assumed the presidency following the ouster of President Joseph Estrada. He was named Customs district collector in Subic, after which he was moved to Cebu City. In 2005, Bibit was eased out reportedly due to his “insufficient credentials." He has since turned critic of the Arroyo administration. - GMANews.TV