Ex-AFP chief of staff Bangit dies

MANILA, Philippines-Former Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Delfin Bangit passed away Friday afternoon, the military confirmed.

Details were not immediately available on what caused Bangit’s death.

AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the military was told that the former chief of staff passed away at 5pm at St. Luke’s Medical Center.

“We don’t want to bother his family because we know they are grieving. We haven’t spoken to his wife yet,” Zagala told the Inquirer by phone.

Bangit was among the first government officials under the then Arroyo administration to lose their posts in the transition to the administration of Benigno Aquino III.

Bangit resigned in June 2010 after President Aquino said he would not want Bangit to be his AFP chief of staff.

Bangit was appointed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and was perceived to be her loyal ally.

Bangit was a member of the Philippine Military Class ’78.