Manila - The scandal-tainted head of the Philippine Armed Forces retired Monday, claiming success in the fight against communist insurgents and military rebels.

General Hermogenes Esperon, who is accused of conniving with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in rigging the 2004 presidential election, turned over his position to Army chief Lieutenant General Alexander Yano.

Esperon said that under his watch, he left the communist rebels in disarray and successfully quashed attempts by rebel soldiers to topple Arroyo, whom Filipinos voted the country's most corrupt leader over late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and former president Joseph Estrada in a December poll.

The 56-year-old general also cited the killing of senior leaders of the al-Qaeda-linked Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels, including its chieftain Khadafi Janjalani, as among his achievements as chief of staff.

Esperon was expected to get a position in the Arroyo government as a reward for his loyalty. (dpa)