GENERAL ALEXANDER B. YANO
Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
File photo of then Lt. Gen. Yano |
Gen. Yano, or 'Onay' as he is fondly called by his classmates, was born on June 13, 1953 in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte. He was a consistent honor student during his school days in his home province of Zamboanga del Norte. He was in his third year taking up BS Civil Engineering course at the Cebu Institute of Technology when he answered the call of military service by entering the Philippine Military Academy in 1972.
A member of PMA "Magilas" Class of 1976, Gen. Yano spent his early years in the military service mostly in combat assignments in Northern and Central Luzon and the provinces of Samar during the height of CPP/NPA rebellion in the 70s and 80s. From there, he has held various key positions in both field and garrison units where he displayed outstanding performance in the field of intelligence and operation that prepared him for higher positions of major responsibility in the military hierarchy.
A well-respected general who spent most of his military career in the field, Gen. Yano underwent various military trainings that prepared him for his future positions. He consistently excelled in all the trainings he attended, both in academics and physical proficiency. These courses include, among others: the Special Forces Operations Course, Field Artillery Officers Course, Pre-Command Course for Battalion Commanders, and Command and General Staff Course. He was also in the Commandant's List when he took up the Infantry Officer Advance Course at the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia in the US.
Among his significant positions and duty assignments include: Commander of the Southern Luzon Command; Commanding General of the 2nd Infantry Division; the Chief of Staff, Philippine Army; Commanding General of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP; Assistant Division Commander of the 9th Infantry Division in Bicol; Commanding General of the 601st Infantry Brigade in SOCSARGEN area, and Commanding Officer of the Task Force Zamboanga.
He had a successful stint curbing terrorism in Mindanao when he became Commander of Task Force Zamboanga in 2001 where he successfully handled the Cabatangan Crisis in Zamboanga City. His extraordinary skill in crisis management resulted to the rescue of civilian hostages from the elements of the Misuari Breakaway Group occupying the Cabatangan Complex who initially utilized the civilians as human shields.
As the Commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade in the SOCSARGEN area, Gen. Yano initiated various anti-terrorism programs to address the terrorist threats in the area and successfully won the support and cooperation of the different sectors to support such undertakings. Such initiative resulted to a much improved security situation in the region which paved the way for an increased economic activity and sustenance of development projects in the region.
In July 7, 2004, Gen. Yano was appointed as Chairman of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Coordinating Committee Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) which oversees the ceasefire agreement with the MILF. Being a Mindanaoan, he carried out his responsibilities with utmost dedication in promoting a peaceful atmosphere in the conflict affected areas in Mindanao allowing both sides to pursue the peace negotiations in the pursuit of lasting peace in Mindanao.
As Commanding General of the 2nd Infantry Division and later on as the Commander of the Southern Luzon Command, he actively engaged with the different stakeholders of the society such as the business groups, student sector, academe and the religious sector to gain their support towards working together in addressing the communist insurgency. Such innovative approach of Gen. Yano insulated a very potent sector of our society from the deceptive propaganda employed by the CPP-NPA-NDF. During his stint as the Commander of Southern Luzon Command, the traditional bailiwicks of the rebels in Bondoc peninsula were slowly cleared from communist influence while government troops were successful in flushing out the NPA forces from the area. This was a manifestation of the renewed support and cooperation of the local populace to the AFP's counter insurgency campaign in Southern Luzon. Gen. Yano was also instrumental in supporting various government-initiated development projects and in the conduct of disaster rescue operations in the aftermath of the Mayon Volcano eruption on July 2006 and the destruction brought by Typhoon Reming in the province of Albay on December 2006.
He was appointed as the 49th Commanding General of the Philippine Army on August 24, 2007 following the retirement of Gen. Romeo Tolentino. As the Army Chief, he emphasized the importance of taking care of the soldiers as the organization s prime resource. He emphasized that each and every individual in the Army organization has his own distinct and important role which contributes to the collective effort of Team ARMY in the accomplishment of its mission.
As the Chief of the Philippine Army for almost 9 months prior to his assumption as CSAFP, Gen. Yano has advocated programs to benefit the soldiers and improve the Army's operational capability so that it would be responsive and attuned to the changing nature of warfare.
As a testament to his meritorious performance, he is a recipient of various military awards and decorations to include, 5 Distinguished Service Stars, Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Officer), 4 Outstanding Achievement Medals, Gold Cross Medal for Gallantry in Combat, Bronze Cross Medal, 27 Military Merit Medals, the Gawad sa Kaunlaran, Silver Wing Medals, Honorary PAF Gold Wings, Honorary Flag Rank Command Badge, and the Royal Thai Army Honorary Parachutist Badge. More importantly, he has also received accolades and recognition from various groups, NGOs and local chief executives for his contribution in promoting peace and security in the areas where he was formerly assigned.
As he climbs a step higher to assume the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the 120,000-strong AFP is filled with much optimism that the military organization would competently overcome challenges with renewed pride as it continues to perform its mandate as protector of the People and the State.
PHOTO AT RIGHT: Lieutenant General Alexander Yano has assumed as the 38th Chief of Staff of the 120,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines replacing General Hermogenes C Esperon Jr in a ceremony presided by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The new Chief of Staff is known as the "Soldier's soldier" for his professional competence and excellent leadership that earned him the respect and admiration of his men, colleagues, and superiors. It was no doubt that such sterling performance and uncompromising leadership are also well recognized and appreciated even by our civilian leaders allowing him the rare privilege to lead the country s armed forces.
"Being the AFP chief is a rare chance to carry on a noble mission for a better Armed Forces," says Gen. Yano."
Source: Official Philippine Army Press Release: 03-049, 11 May 2008
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