|
By Jefferson Antiporda, Reporter
PHILIPPINE Army Chief Lt. General
Alexander Yano, the new Armed Forces Chief of Staff once General
Hermogenes Esperon ends his extended term on May 12, will be the
first military chief coming from Mindanao.
Prior to his appointment as
commanding general of the Army, Yano was assigned to various areas
in Mindanao and in Southern Tagalog, which is infested by the New
People’s Army. He also took part in the peace process between the
government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Unlike other candidates for the
top military post, Yano seems to be the lone contender even months
before the concurrent chief is set to resign, although all heads of
the three major command services and the deputy chiefs of staff are
all considered contenders.
Yano’s appointment as military
chief was finalized in January this year when President Gloria
Arroyo announced the extension of Esperon’s term for another three
months.
Arroyo said she wanted to give
Esperon, who was supposed to retire on February 9, the time to focus
on the counterinsurgency campaign. The President did not want to
“change horses” at midstream.
Before heading the Army, Yano
headed the Southern Luzon Command and led the counterinsurgency
operations in the area.
He was also a former commander of
the Army’s Second Infantry Division based in Southern Tagalog, one
of the strongholds of the communist rebels.
Yano also commanded the Army’s
601st Brigade in Zamboanga.
Apart from leading the soldiers
in the field, Yano was also head of the general court martial trying
Major Gen. Renato Miranda and other military officers involved in
the foiled 2006 coup attempt.
He was also appointed as
Chairperson of the Government Coordinating Committee on the
Cessation of Hostilities with the MILF, for his proven competence
and abilities especially in understanding the intricacies of the
Mindanao conflict.
The other positions Yano held
were chief of the military’s Civil Relations Service and military
spokesman during the time of former Armed Forces Chief Gen. Efren
Abu.
Yano is also a recipient of
various military awards in including five Distinguished Service
Stars; the Philippine Legion of Honor (degree of officer); four
Outstanding Achievement Medals; Gold Cross medal for gallantry in
combat; Bronze Cross Medal; 27 Military Merit Medals; Gawad sa
Kaunlaran; Silver Wing Medal; Honorary Philippine Air Force Gold
Wings; Honorary Flag Rank Command Badge; and Royal Thai Army
Honorary Parachutist Badge.
Yano’s appointment as military
chief is also being backed by a Muslim group, the United Muslim
Council for Peace and Development (UMPCD).
“We’ve known Lt. General Yano
for a long time, since he was assigned in Mindanao, and [we] can
vouch for his technical experience and skill in relation to the
position as the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines,” the group said in a written statement.
UMPCD President Sultan Taher Ali
Polao said Yano is a Mindanaoan, and has the dedication, strong
leadership and commitment to work as the chairman of peace
negotiations between the MILF and the Philippine government.
Perhaps the Armed Forces will be
entering a new era with Yano.
|
