Yano takes over as 38th AFP chief

MANILA, Philippines – Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano will be installed today as the 38th chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo with President Arroyo presiding. He replaces Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who is retiring today.

Yano assumes the highest military post at a time when the AFP is trying to meet the 2010 deadline set by President Arroyo for defeating the decades-old communist insurgency being waged by the New People’s Army.

Yano will have the responsibility of dismantling 79 remaining guerilla fronts all over the country, as well as addressing various threats to national security such as the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group and their foreign Jemaah Islamiyah cohorts who are believed to be hiding around the hinterlands of Sulu in Mindanao.

Aside from external concerns, Yano would also have responsibility over the court martial proceedings of senior and junior officers linked to power grab attempts against the Arroyo administration.

Yano served as president of the General Court Martial that is now trying the case of Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Marine Col. Ariel Querubin and 25 other Army and Marine officers allegedly involved in the foiled Feb. 2006 coup, when he was still commander of the Southern Luzon Command.

After concerns were raised over the pull out of Malaysian members of the International Monitoring Team in the talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the former army chief would also face the challenge of ensuring a secure environment in conflict-torn areas of Mindanao.

Yano previously served as chair of the Government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities with the MILF, where his understanding of the intricacies of the Mindanao conflict was put to good use.

He was born and raised in General Santos City and was assigned there during the early years of his military career.

Yano is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Magilas” Class 1976, along with Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado who would replace him at his former post in the army.

It is still unknown whether Esperon would be given a civilian government post when he officially retires today, but the outgoing AFP chief said he intends to vacation abroad to visit his children.

In earlier interviews, Esperon said he also wishes to spend time with his family and visit tourist destinations in the country as a civilian.

But he said that while no offers have yet been made, he is not shutting the door on the possibility of taking a government post when he sheds his military uniform.