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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
April 16, 2026 | 12:00am
Eduardo Oban Jr and Eduardo Año
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has stepped down after serving the Marcos administration for more than three years.
His replacement is a retired Air Force general who led the military during the time of former president Benigno Aquino III.
“The President has accepted the resignation of national security adviser Eduardo Año. Secretary Año has decided to retire from public service after decades of continuous service in government and the military,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday.
“We thank Secretary Año for his dedicated and distinguished service to the Filipino people,” she added.
Succeeding Año is Eduardo Oban Jr., a former military chief and a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class of 1979.
Castro said Oban has extensive experience in military operations, defense planning and national security, citing his stint as deputy chief of staff for plans and head of the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission.
“With these depths 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,” the Palace press officer said.
In a statement, Año, who was named national security adviser in January 2023, said his health prodded him to retire from government.
“I hereby confirm my permanent retirement as national security adviser and director general, National Security Council, effective April 16, 2026, due to health reasons that require my full attention and care,” he said.
“In recent months it has become apparent that I must prioritize my health and well-being. 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,” he added.
Año thanked President Marcos for his trust and confidence and expressed confidence that critical operations and ongoing initiatives would continue.
“I remain confident in the strength and resilience of our institutions and in the capable, steady leadership of Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr., who will carry forward the mission of protecting our 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.
Before his appointment as national security adviser, Año was the interior and local government secretary under former president Rodrigo Duterte from 2018 to 2022. He was also armed forces chief from 2016 to 2017 and the Army commanding general from 2015 to 2016.
Oban has held key military and civilian posts, including executive director of the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces, transportation undersecretary for operations, chief of staff of the armed forces, deputy chief of staff for plans and wing commander at the Air Defense Wing of the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
He was appointed armed forces chief in March 2011, a post he held for nine months. – Pia Lee-Brago
