No need to extend Ibrado’s term as AFP chief—Villar

VILLASIS, Pangasinan—Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar Jr. believes that there is no need to extend the term of retiring general Victor Ibrado as Armed Forces chief. In a chance interview with reporters after his speech at the Villasis Sports Complex in this bustling central Pangasinan town, Villar said the country has a good number of qualified generals to replace Ibrado. "Maraming magagaling na heneral. Kung sino mang nakalinya, sila'y naghihintay na, dapat pagbigyan natin," he said. He, however, said that it is still up to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo if she would extend Ibrado's term. Ibrado will turn 56, the mandatory retirement age for Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel, on March 10. "Iiwanan ko sa Pangulo yan. Napakaimportante na kung ano ang ginagawa ng Pangulo ay pagbigyan natin. Mahalaga na huwag tayo magbibigay ng anumang idea na mayroon tayong binabalak na hindi maganda sa ating bansa," Villar said. NP senatorial candidate Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of Ilocos Norte expressed the same opinion as Villar, saying that there is no scarcity of good military officials in the country. "Sa palagay ko, maraming magagaling na opisyal, at nakapagsilbi na si General Ibrado, kahit siya ayaw niya magpaextend. Kaya sa dinami-dami ng magagaling na opisyal, sa palagay ko, marami tayong makukuha na kapalit," Marcos told reporters in a separate interview. As early as last month, Ibrado had started making farewell visits to soldiers all over the country as he insisted that he is not interested in the extension of his term. (See: AFP chief starts farewell rounds despite extension calls)—JV, GMANews.TV