9 pang opisyal ng DND nag-resign rin… AFP AYAW MAPOLTIKA; FAUSTINO NAGBITIW

Matapos ang pagbibitiw ni Jose Faustino Jr., officer-in-charge ng Department of National Defense (DND), may siyam pang opisyal ng DND ang nagsumite ng kanilang courtesy resignation sa bagong talaga na si Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

Sa isang press briefing, sinabi ni DND spokesperson Director Arsenio Andolong nitong Martes, na sa mga nagbitiw na opisyal ay lima ang Undersecretary at 4 ang assistant secretary.

Sinasabing kaya naman nagbitiw ang naturang bilang ng mga opisyal ay dahil “coterminous” sila kay Faustino.

Naunang inihayag ng Malacañang noong Lunes na nagbitiw na si Faustino at tinanggap naman ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang pagbibitiw nito.

Agad ding itinalaga ni Pangulong Marcos si Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. bilang bagong kalihim ng DND.

Samantala, inamin ni Faustino nitong Martes na napagdesisyunan niya ang pagbibitiw matapos italaga ni Pangulong Marcos si Gen. Andres Centino bilang Chief of Staff ng Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“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,” ani Faustino sa isang statement na pinadala sa mga mamamahayag.

Aniya pa, aalis siya sa pwesto dahil ayaw niyang mapolitika ang AFP.

“The AFP is an institution that is loved, trusted, and respected by the Filipino people. It is an upright organization that is professional, highly capable and committed to protecting our country and people from all threats, whether foreign or domestic. Our dedicated and indomitable soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines value above all honor, service, and patriotism – these are the ideals that we live and die for, if need be,” dagdag ni Faustino.

In a press briefing, DND Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the officials included “about seven to nine” individuals holding the rank of undersecretary or assistant secretary. He did not name them.