Yano: The AFP’s next Chief of Staff

(Published in Zamboanga Today on January 28, 2008.)

Lt. Gen. Alexander B. Yano is named as the successor of the present Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, who shall soon reach retirement age, but shall, by the will and power of the president as Commander-in-chief Gloria Arroyo, extend military service by another three months.

Yano deserves the appointment and has gained the trust and confidence of many civilians both in the south, he being a true Mindanaoan whose roots come from Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, as well as in the north, he having served as commander of the Southern Luzon Command.

A member of Class ’76 of the Philippine Military Academy, Yano holds a distinguished military record that many in the Magilas Class, to include Police Regional Director Sr. Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal and Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, can hold their head up high and salute to their mistah.

On the other hand, the President’s trust in Esperon is remarkable. Not too many officers hold this honor. But perhaps, that is expected from a Chief of Staff whose loyalty was put to test once as the chief of the Presidential Security Guard at a time when his commander-in-chief had a shaky position in the Palace and loyalty from the Cabinet and the ranks had to be checked.

Yano is a son of Zamboanga, having served as commander of Task Force Zamboanga for nearly a year at the start of the millennium. He led his 300-strong armed forces of TFZ in an engaged armed as well as psychological warfare against the Julhambri Misuari-led forces of the Moro National Liberation Front in Cabatangan, Zamboanga City. There were few sectors who didn’t appreciate his efforts, however, he had delivered what many also wanted for the good of the majority: secured lives of 125 hostages, less lives lost and wounded among soldiers and rebels—all Filipinos, and minimal damage to property within the areas affected in an urban territory as Zamboanga. Many called for bloodshed against the rebels then, angry and even blood-thirsty Zamboangueños wanting revenge of the enemies, but as the former Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat called for sobriety, the soldiers under Yano’s military leadership and the support of the police force then under Chief Supt. Mario Yanga, and other local government agencies, won the battle. This victory elicited gratitude from civilians and the local business community.

After having served as a platoon leader to being the present chief of the Philippine Army, Yano’s 32-year military career shall soon be capped with his becoming the 36^th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It is not surprising thus, when Alexander Yano will join the ranks of the late journalist Maximo Soliven, the former Southern Command chief now Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, and become the fourth adopted child of Asia’s Latin City.

After all, he is the first Task Force Zamboanga commander who has reached his stars, and to date, remains humble enough to share them with all of us.

Truly A-1.

(Frencie L. Carreon)