Facing a new fight

(Published in Zamboanga Today on May 21 and 22 issues.)

"Thank you for entrusting the AFP mission to a Mindanaoan."

This statement of Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano was affirmed by many from Mindanao, among them House of Representatives Speaker Prospero Nograles.

I distinctly remember telling Gen. Yano when he was still a Colonel then, that I would see him one day seated in a top military post. I was particularly eyeing the then Southern Command, and he gave out his usual chuckle. I was wrong—and right, too. He became Northern Luzon Command chief, but later rose to be the Philippine Army chief, and now Chief of Staff. Fully aware thought that the highest he could go is that of becoming the Commander-in-Chief, I couldn't even bring myself to say it as Gen. Yano, the humble and selfless soldier that he is, has not much appreciation to land in politics. Essentially, the simple person that he truly is, is best described by an officer and my foster brother, "Onay: A-1."

A SIGNIFICANT CROWD

The audience during the ceremony was largely a significant representation of government and non-government sectors, flashing the dramataic statement of support from Mindanao, particularly from the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Leading his 'support team' were his own mother, retired public school teacher and the CS' first teacher Gloria Badong-Yano who was a grade one teacher for 34 years, his wife, Estela Aragon-Yano, and his son, Ervin Andrew, the Yano and Aragon clans, as well as his friends from Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, and his mistahs from the Philippine Military Academy Magilas Class of 1976, and even his "revered upper class men of Class 1974".

President Arroyo in her speech made her impressed observation: "The entire officialdom from Mindanao is here."

From Zamboanga City, Mayor Celso Lobregat and 1^st District Congressional Rep. Ma. Isbaelle 'Beng' Climaco came. Ditto, Vice-Mayor Manuel Jose 'Mannix' Dalipe, former City Mayors Manuel Dalipe (who is himself an alumnus of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and Vitaliano Agan, Zamboanga Special Economic Zone Freeport Authority Chairman Georgina 'Jojo' Yu, Philippine National Bank regional vice-president and Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Incorporated past president Teresita 'Tessie' Uy-Sebastian, Ciudad Medical Zamboanga hospital administrator and Rotary Club of Metro Zamboanga past president Mary June Bugante, businessman Eddie Cheong, and this writer being a friend of the Chief of Staff. From among the military officials based here in Zamboanga, I particularly saw Task Force Zamboanga commander Col. Darwin Guerra.

Zamboanga Sibugay province brought forth at Camp Aguinaldo Governor

George Hofer, and his daughter, the ever-beautiful Congressional Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer. The medical doctor was surprisingly in top shape at the grandstand box where guests of Gen. Yano were seated.

Zamboanga del Norte was a powerhouse. I sighted more than ten municipal mayors, among them another friend, Sibuco Mayor Norbi Edding. But the House of Representatives was well-represented, with Rep. Cecilia Carreon of the 1^st District, Rep. Rolando Labadlabad of the 2^nd District, and Rep. Cesar Jalosjos (whom I heard chat with Mayor Lobregat in Chavacano) of the 3^rd District. And of course, the dynamic force behind the province, Gov. Rolando Yebes, was there.

Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Enerio-Cerilles and her hubby (my Igso) Congressman Antonio 'Tony' Cerilles were all smiles at the same row where Sen. Richard Gordon was seated.

But apart from Zamboanga, Gen. Yano sees Socksargen as his other home—and the presence of world boxing champ, whom he acknowledged during the ceremonies for delaying his trip to the United States just for the event, Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao, was the penultimate stamp of support. Sarangani Province Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez, South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Fuentes, Congressional Rep. Darlene Antopina, and other political leaders from South Cotabato, Koronadal, Sarangani and General Santos were also there—in friendship, and for moral support to the new AFP Chief of Staff whose caliber as a military leader and peacemaker they all saw and knew of when Yano was a Colonel, leading the Army's infantry brigade in the Socksargen area.

From the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, no less than Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan led the force. I met a beaming Congressional Rep. Munir Arbison of the 2^nd District in Sulu, seated beside our own Rep. Beng Climaco, as is his usual charming self.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps and foreign affairs, including foreign military organizations likewise graced the event. I had very warm moments with Zamboanga City's Unica Hija, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, who gamely joined those from Zamboanga City for a group photo with Gen. Yano. Of course, the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTFP) was represented by no less than its commander, Col. William Coultrup. Another good friend whom I saw from a distance was Joint United States Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) Deputy chief Lt. Col. Frederick Riker, but right beside me was US Embassy Army Attache Lt. Col. Hugh Mullaly.

The military and the governments of New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, Japan, and Canada, to name a few that I could distinctly identify, were represented as well.

Former Task Force Zamboanga commanders Gen. Jovenal Narcise (who retired from military service last May 15) and Gen. Dan Casabar (who led the formation of troops during the testimonial parade and review) were prominently seen. Ditto, former Tabak Infantry Division commanders (now 6^th Infantry Brigade chief) Gen. Raymundo Ferrer and (Ret.) Gen. Trifonio 'Teepee' Salazar.

At the Bulwagang Tejeros where the reception that followed was held, a crowd of military and civilian influentials gathered, all ready to give support to the new Chief of Staff. As I (this time with Mary June Bugante and Eddie Cheong) moved around, there were more faces to smile at, and say warm pleasantries. It was like a reunion of sorts. The new CS after all is a Mindanaoan. Even Luzonians and Visayans who were there were once prominent military figures in Mindanao.

Philippine Navy Flag Officer In-Command Vice-Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, Philippine Marines Corps Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, Vice Admiral (Ret.) Mateo Mayuga (who is now the chairman and chief executive officer of Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines, Inc.), Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Avelino Razon, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Cardozo 'Ding' Luna, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, AFP deputy chief, Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, and Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog were certainly there as well.

And of course, the President of the Philippines, Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Her Excellency Gloria Arroyo was all thumbs up for the new military leadership.

"The national leadership is behind you, and the entire armed forces, in your official mission," Arroyo said, addressing Yano, as she blatantly qualified why he got the top post.

"You are highly recommended by the top brass, by the Cabinet. You're clearly voted by Team AFP…And owing to your reputation as a soldier's soldier, a no-nonsense soldier and one with a heart," Arroyo announced.

FACING A NEW FIGHT

To many, the change in leadership in the Philippine military was one long-awaited moment. And the perfect man to fulfill that hope was just about to sit behind the desk of the 38^th AFP Chief of Staff.

"I am deeply humbled with the responsibility behind the mission given to me," Yano declared.

In her address at the Change of Command Ceremony last May 10, President Arroyo acknowledged Yano's "clear sense of mission".

"Let it be on record that my first official act is to render a proud salute to the Filipinio soldier. Karangalan kong paglingkuran ang ating bayan at bandila kasama ninyo (It is my honor to serve our country and flag together with you)," Yano pronounced, eliciting a thunderous applause from the audience and the Filipino soldiers all over the nation, some of whom were just watching the ceremonies as seen from television.

Yano, is the first Task Force Zamboanga commander to ever become the AFP Chief of Staff, and the Philippine Army Chief. He is the first Mindanaoan to occupy said top positions in the Philippine military.

With him at the helm, the AFP now is facing a new fight, and this is "the age-old battle against poverty," he said, as he aims to "win this war."

"Every road built, every school built, every child immunized, and every ailment healed is a step to countryside development," Yano reminded all.

He called on every Filipino soldier, "Let us all return to the battlefield, where the loftiest of our ambition is not just to see our country free and enjoying democracy, not wealth, but a warm smile and embrace from the people."

Yano then presented the contingent of soldiers at the grounds, and announced, "Before you is a strong Team AFP, defender of Philippine democracy, where every soldier is a patriot."

It will be a new fight indeed, but Onay has his affirmation as he quoted a biblical passage from the Book of James, when he opened his first address, "Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God alone." (Frencie L. Carreon)

(Documented Features is the feature section of Zamboanga Today. Contributions and reactions may be sent to editor.zambotoday@gmail.com. This particular feature, published in two parts, is posted in http://www.zambotoday.com and http://www.southernphilippines.blogspot.com.)