PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (Al Jacinto / 17 Aug) – A veteran army commander who fought Abu Sayyaf militants and communist insurgents in the restive region of Mindanao is said to be the next chief of the Philippine Army.
Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, chief of the Army’s Southern Luzon Command, has been named to replace Gen. Romeo Tolentino, who retires Friday, military sources said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon declined to confirm the report and said it will be announced Friday.
The 54-year old Yano, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1976, was not immediately available to make a statement. His previous stints in Mindanao as commander resulted in the capture of many Abu Sayyaf terrorists and New People’s Army rebels.
He also served in the Army’s 2nd and 9th Infantry Divisions in Luzon and 6o1st Infantry Brigade in Mindanao. He became the chief of staff and chief of operations of the Philippine Army and chief of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service.
Yano was also head of an anti-terror task force in Zamboanga City and was instrumental in defeating a rebellion launched by Moro National Liberation Front and played a key role in the release of more than 100 people taken hostage by rebels.
He served as chairman of the government’s cease-fire committee with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and later became AFP spokesman. Yano is also president of a military court trying soldiers involved in a failed coup in 2003.
Yano, a native of Zamboanga del Norte province, has until June 2009 before he retires. (Mindanao Examiner)
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