PRESIDENT FERDINAND Marcos, Jr. has appointed Thomasian Eduardo Oban, Jr. as his new national security adviser, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, April 15.
Oban succeeded Eduardo Año, who resigned after three years in the post.
The new national security adviser previously served as the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) chief of staff from March to December 2011 under the administration of the late president Benigno Aquino III.
“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,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a press briefing on Wednesday, April 15.
Oban studied for several years at UST before graduating from the Philippine Military Academy Matapat in 1979. He later joined the Philippine Air Force Flying School as an undergraduate pilot trainee at Fernando Base in Lipa, Batangas.
During his stint in the AFP, Oban was faced with the task of addressing the alleged corruption in the procurement process and pushed for defense capability upgrades.
Oban later worked as head of the state-owned Clark Development Corporation and executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement.
He obtained his master’s degree in Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific while acting as the director for operations of the Air Force 5th Fighter Wing.F
