Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Gen. Delfin Bangit, who announced this week his decision to avail of early retirement, said on Wednesday he has no regrets leaving the AFP, even as he gave his last instruction to soldiers, whom he urged to give full support to the incoming Commander-in-Chief and whoever will be appointed as the new AFP Chief.

While he has yet to announce the exact date when he will retire, Bangit has been making his farewell rounds to the different AFP units to personally bid goodbye and say thank you to the troops.

Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., AFP spokesman, said among the factors that triggered Bangit’s decision to go on early retirement was the announcement of President-elect Aquino that he will not keep the General as armed forces chief when he assumes the presidency on June 30.

Bangit, member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Makatarungan” Class 1978, which has President Arroyo as an honorary member, is originally scheduled to retire on July 2011. (Elena Aben)