Yano mum on possible successor to top AFP post

MANILA, Philippines - With barely five months before relinquishing the top military post, Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano on Wednesday remained mum on his possible replacement. In an interview, Yano declined to pick between Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado and Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit who are said to be the top contenders as his successor when he retires in June. "It's not for me to decide or even say at this point," Yano said, when asked who is better among the two officers to replace him. "What is sure is I’m retiring in June, my 56th birthday so anything other than that, I think will be speculative and I don’t even think about who my replacements are. That’s not my job and I have to focus on the duties and responsibilities of the chief of staff with the many challenges in the remaining months that I’ll still be in the service." Ibrado was the classmate of Yano in the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1976 which has adopted Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as an honorary member. On the other hand, Bangit belongs to the PMA Class of 1978, which adopted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as a member. Bangit, who once served as the commander of the Presidential Security Group, is said to be a favorite general of the President. Oher officers qualified for the top AFP post are AFP vice chief Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna, AFP deputy chief Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, Navy chief Vice Adm. Ferdinand Golez, Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, and Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Oscar Rabena. - GMANews.TV