Army chief to respect Malacanang decision whether or not to extend Esperon’s term

By Ronron
January 9, 2008

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano will respect the decision of Malacañang whether or not to extend the term of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. beyond February 9, the latter’s 56th birthday.

Even if he is among the strong contender for the chief of staff position, Yano said he is a trained and professional soldier who will be “prepared to take any duty.”

“That is part of my upbringing as a soldier, whether in whatever assignment, whatever area or station that I am assigned to, I have never shirked from any responsibility, from any duty,” Yano told reporters in a news conference Wednesday at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Speculations are spreading that Esperon might be extended allegedly due to the volatile political stability following the November 29 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City that was initiated by military rebels.

Yano said they are assuming that whatever decision President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will make on the term of Esperon, “this decision will definitely be guided by a wise advise or inputs from different sectors, not just from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

Thus, “we will support that more or that action by the President who has the prerogative to do so,” he said.

Yano said he is sure that the decision of Arroyo will be for the “greater interest of the nation at hand, and not just the Armed Forces.”

Asked if he and Esperon have a gentlemen’s agreement on the matter, Yano just said: “We are both gentlemen but there is no agreement.”

Yano is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1976, while Esperon belongs to the class of 1974./DMS