President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban Jr. as the new National Security Adviser (NSA). The appointment follows the President’s acceptance of the resignation of Secretary Eduardo Año, who has retired from public service.
In a press briefing held at Malacañang, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed the transition, emphasizing the President’s trust in Oban’s ability to lead the nation’s security agenda.
Secretary Oban brings a wealth of specialized knowledge to the role, having dedicated his career to defense planning and military operations. A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1979, his distinguished background includes:
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Former AFP Chief of Staff: Leading the nation’s military forces with a focus on modernization.
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Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans (J5): Architecting long-term strategic defense frameworks.
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VFA Commission Head: Managing critical international defense partnerships via the Visiting Forces Agreement. “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,” stated Undersecretary Castro.
The Palace expressed its profound gratitude to outgoing Secretary Eduardo Año for his “dedicated and distinguished service.” Having spent decades in both the military and civil government, Año’s retirement marks the end of a pivotal chapter in Philippine security.
During his tenure, Secretary Año was instrumental in:
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Strengthening the national security framework against evolving global threats.
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Advancing robust counterterrorism initiatives.
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Ensuring seamless coordination across the security sector to maintain regional stability.
As the main authority responsible for national security priorities, the NSA ensures that the government’s efforts to protect the Filipino people remain uninterrupted. The appointment of Secretary Oban signals a commitment to stability and continuity amid a complex regional landscape.
The transition is effective immediately, with Secretary Oban expected to begin overseeing the integration of the nation’s security policies to address both domestic and maritime concerns.
