President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. officially presided over the swearing-in of former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban Jr. as the new National Security Adviser (NSA) on Monday.
Oban succeeds Secretary Eduardo Año, who has retired following a distinguished career in public service.
The appointment of Oban underscores the administration’s focus on fortifying the country’s defense architecture. As the lead architect of national security policy, Oban is tasked with:
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Strengthening Defense Planning: Streamlining strategic frameworks to address evolving regional threats.
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Inter-agency Coordination: Ensuring seamless cooperation between intelligence, military, and civilian sectors.
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Stability and Continuity: Maintaining the momentum of existing government programs aimed at fostering a peaceful and resilient Philippines.
Eduardo Oban Jr. brings decades of strategic expertise to the role. A proud graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1979, his career is defined by high-level leadership and diplomatic acumen:
| Previous Key Roles | Impact & Responsibility |
| AFP Chief of Staff | Led the nation’s military forces and strategic defense initiatives. |
| Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans (J5) | Oversaw long-term defense modernization and organizational planning. |
| Head of the VFA Commission | Managed the Visiting Forces Agreement, balancing international defense partnerships. |
In his new capacity, NSA Oban will serve as the primary advisor to the President on matters of national urgency, ensuring that the Philippines remains secure amidst a complex global landscape. The administration expressed its gratitude to outgoing Secretary Eduardo Año for his years of dedicated service and steady hand in navigating the nation’s security challenges.
