Oban replaces Año as top security official
President Marcos has appointed former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban Jr. to replace National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, also a former AFP chief and Duterte appointee, who is stepping down for health reasons.
In a briefing on Wednesday, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the President had accepted the resignation of the 64-year-old Año, who “has decided to retire from public service after decades of continuous service in government and the military.”
“With his depth of experience, the President is confident that Secretary Oban will provide steady and capable leadership in advancing the country’s national security priorities and ensuring continuity in the government’s efforts to keep the nation safe and secure,” Castro said.
Background
The 71-year-old Oban was the second AFP chief of then President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III from March 2011 until his retirement in December that same year.
He is from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matapat” Class of 1979, of which Mr. Marcos is an adopted member.
Oban has extensive experience in military operations, defense planning and national security, having also served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans (J5), and head of the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission.
As national security adviser, Oban will be director-general of the National Security Council (NSC), the principal advisory body of the President on matters affecting the country’s security.
He will also serve as head of another vital post—the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), which “orchestrates and synchronizes the employment of the capabilities of different national government agencies to achieve unified action” in the WPS, which has been at the center of rising tensions with China.
Oban will likewise serve as vice chair of two controversial government bodies: the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, which has been criticized for red-tagging government critics and activists, and the Anti-Terrorism Council, which has the authority to classify groups or individuals as terrorists under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
In a statement, Año expressed confidence that Oban, who is his senior in the PMA, would carry forward the mission in protecting the nation.
“I have full faith that, under his leadership, our national security institutions will continue to uphold the highest standards of excellence and integrity,” he said.
Health reasons
Malacañang, meanwhile, thanked Año for his “dedicated and distinguished service to the Filipino people.”
It cited his key role in “strengthening our national security framework, advancing our counterterrorism and internal security efforts, and ensuring close coordination across the security sector during a period of evolving regional and global challenges.”
According to Año, his “permanent retirement” will take effect on April 16, “due to health reasons that require my full attention and care.”
“In recent months it has become apparent that I must prioritize my health and well‑being,” he said. “To ensure continuity, stability and the highest standards of service in safeguarding our national security, I believe it is time to step aside and allow others to lead.”
Mr. Marcos appointed Año as national security adviser in January 2023. Before that, he served as AFP chief and interior secretary under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Loyalty tested
Año’s loyalty was tested last year, when reports came out that he was part of a core group of Marcos Cabinet officials who planned the arrest of Duterte based on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
He denied the allegation during a Senate hearing, saying it would be difficult for him to see Duterte being arrested, given their personal friendship and years of working together.
According to him, his role as NSC adviser was limited to assessing the situation to prevent it from becoming a national security concern and insisted he had no part in the execution of the warrant of arrest. —WITH A REPORT FROM GABRYELLE DUMALAG
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