Upon graduation from PMA, Yano was commissioned and called to active duty with the Philippine Army. He 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 the
CPP/NPA rebellion in the 1970s and 1980s. Yano hugged the limelight when, as Task Force Zamboanga Chief, he acted as overall ground tactical commander during the infamous Cabatangan crisis in 2001 that led to the successful release of over a hundred civilian hostages and eventually liberated the Cabatangan Complex in
Zamboanga City from over 300 fully armed
MNLF Breakaway Group elements. This crucial battle earned him the moniker “Liberator of
Cabatangan” from the late City Mayor –
Maria Clara Lobregat. After his duty tour in Zamboanga City, he was personally handpicked by then SOUTHCOM Chief Gen
Roy Cimatu to command the 601st Army Brigade in
Socsargen at the height of terrorist bombings that rocked General Santos in 2002. During his over two-year stint as Brigade Comdr, no single terrorist bombing occurred in
General Santos. He earned his 1st star-rank as Brigade Commander in 2003, the first in his PMA batch to become a general. He was also declared as "adopted son" of
General Santos in recognition of his invaluable contributions to that city. He later served as Assistant Division Comdr of the 9th Infantry Division in Bicol and concurrently as Chairperson of the Government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities with the
MILF for his proven competence and abilities especially in understanding the intricacies of the
Mindanao conflict. He then, briefly served as Chief of the AFP's Civil Relations Service and concurrent AFP Spokesperson where he ably articulated the AFP's position on various defence and security issues. With Gen. Generoso Senga as then Army Chief, Yano was personally plucked from Camp Aguinaldo to assume as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army where he earned his Second Star (MAJ General) in April 2005, again, the 1st to earn said rank in his class. As a testament to his exemplary achievements, he received various military awards, including: 4 Distinguished Service Stars;
Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Officer); 4 Outstanding Achievement Medals; Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in combat; Bronze Cross Medal and 27 Military Merit Medals. He had also been twice awarded as “Most Outstanding Zamboanga del Norte Citizen” in 2003 and in 2005. He received the “Outstanding Alumnus Award” from
Saint Vincent's College in Dipolog in December 2005. Likewise, he was conferred the “PMA Achievement Award” by PMA in
Baguio in November 2005. The Commission on Appointments (CA) finally confirmed on June 11, 2008,
en masse several top government officials, including Yano amid walk outs by Senators
Jamby Madrigal and
Panfilo Lacson. On May 1, 2009, he retired one-month earlier and he was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado of
Philippine Army as the chief of staff. He's been appointed by
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as ambassador to
Brunei Darrussalam. The reason for his early retirement is to prepare himself for the confirmation of his appointment by the Commission of Appointments by June 2009. ==Awards==