'Paquito Diaz' provides icebreaker at AFP turnover ceremony

A gaffe on the part of retiring Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa served as an icebreaker to the otherwise serious change-of-command ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday. This was when Dellosa mistakenly acknowledged Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. as “Executive Secretary Honorable Paquito Diaz,” the late actor famous for playing villain roles in movies. Dellosa, who will be replaced by Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista as AFP chief, quickly realized his mistake. “I’m sorry, sir. Paquito Ochoa,” he said. Dellosa was acknowledging the presence of important guests present at the ceremony when he made the mistake that sent the guests — including Ochoa himself — laughing. Other VIPs during the ceremony were President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Transportation Secretion Joseph Emilio Abaya, Armed Forces vice chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, Philippine National Police chief  Director General Alan Purisima, and former President Fidel V. Ramos. In his speech, Dellosa said the military during his term “registered a lot of gains, both physical and non-tangible results” in the implementation of Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan, the military’s blueprint in winning the peace. “Our soldiers have remarkably exhibited their duties in ensuring that our country is kept secured and economically-thriving,” added Dellosa, who assumed as AFP chief in December 2011. — KBK, GMA News