Eduardo Oban Jr. appointed as new national security adviser, replacing Eduardo Año

Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Eduardo Oban Jr. has now been appointed as the new National Security Adviser, replacing Eduardo Año after the latter had formally resigned from the position.

During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has accepted Año's resignation, noting that he had decided to retire from public service after decades of continuous service in government and the military.

"We thank Secretary Año for his dedicated and distinguished service to the Filipino people," she said.

Taking his place as national security adviser is Oban. 

Castro highlighted that Marcos 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."

With this, he is now responsible for "national security priorities and ensuring continuity in the government’s efforts to keep the nation safe and secure," according to the Presidential Communications Office.

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979, Oban held various courses in the Philippine Air Force and the AFP.

Among his roles is serving as a special assistant to the Minister of Trade and Industry from 1984 to 1986, before becoming the group commander of the Defense Intelligence and Security Group from November 1986 up to January 1988.

Apart from serving as a group commander at the Intelligence and Security Group of the Department of National Defense, Oban also became Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and head of the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission at one point in his career.

He eventually assumed the post of AFP Chief in 2011, marking a major milestone in his career.