A group claiming to represent Filipino workers in the Middle East Wednesday expressed fear that the appointment of Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit as chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was intended to strengthen a political infrastructure base to keep the present government in power.

President Arroyo appointed Bangit, former Philippine Army commanding general, to replace AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, who retired on March 10 at 56.

A former chief of the Presidential Security Group, Bangit is a member of the Philippine Military Class 1978, which has Arroyo as honorary member.

He is also a former commander of the AFP Southern Luzon Command in Lucena City and has also served as commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division.

In a statement, Migrante-Middle East said that the move of the President to appoint to office officials that are loyal to her sends a signal that she wants to remain in power even as her term is due to expire on July 2010.

“She has to take continued control of the AFP. Her administration is also seen to be very eager to appoint the next Chief Justice to replace the current and retiring Chief Justice Puno. She is also running in Congress along with other Arroyos. Her former Cabinet members are also vying for seats in Congress that even the party-lists system they now consider a playing field. This is directed for a single vicious scheme -to take control of the entire government’s bureaucracy,” Migrante-Middle East said in a statement.

“Mrs. Arroyo is observed to be solidifying, in a slowly but surely, manner, a political infrastructure base that would eventually favor her continued stay in power,’’ it added.

The alliance of Filipino migrants said the Filipino people must be worried about this scheme and should remain vigilant especially so as Election Day draws near.

The group encouraged its fellow workers overseas to make it a responsibility to inform everyone about some evil schemes that might be perpetrated by the military or other groups to let the present administration cling to power.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator, said, “Even peace-loving and patriotic OWFs working abroad seems to notice the ‘ugly’ political developments back home which would turn to be nasty that would lead to political uncertainties and instability especially that the election time comes closer. This scenario would favor Mrs. Arroyo to remain in power.”

Monterona said that only a vigilant and well-informed citizenry could ward off the “vicious scheme” of the present administration.

“But how vigilant and informed our people are for them to be ready and collectively act to prevent and eventually avert an evil scheme being crafted by the ruling administration? Everyone should take the responsibility of informing others,” Monterona said.