Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano is scheduled to meet with Bishop Vicente Navarra today at the Bishop’s Palace in Bacolod City, in what is perceived to be a bid to strengthen the relationship between the Church and the military.

Yano, who is slated to be the next Armed Forces chief of staff, is making exit calls on all Army units nationwide, thanking them for their support of his programs and policies, as Army chief for almost a year.

The position he will vacate is being contested by Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, chief of the AFP Central Command, and Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, chief of the AFP Northern Luzon Command.

Ibrado, a Negrense, witnessed the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between local military officials and the four bishops of Negros Island that paved the way for the creation of the Church-Military Advisory Group.

However, priest-turned-rebel Frank Fernandez dismissed the CMAG as part of the psychological operations of the military to boost its image.

Yano yesterday visited the 302nd Infantry Brigade in Tanjay, Negros Oriental, which is commanded by his younger brother, Col. Cesar Yano. He is also slated to visit the 303rd Infantry Brigade headed by Col. Honorato de los Reyes,in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, before his meeting with Gov. Isidro Zayco and Navarra, today.*

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