President Bongbong Marcos Appoints Eduardo Año as New National Security Adviser

After weeks of organizational reshuffling, the trend continues as the Palace announces the appointment of a new National Security Adviser. Former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año replaces Professor Clarita Carlos.

"Former DILG Secretary Eduardo Año took his oath before the President as the new National Security Adviser," wrote the Presidential Communications Office in a Facebook post. "Professor Clarita Carlos has decided to continue her pursuit of scholastic endeavors as she joins the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) of the House of Representatives."

We may remember Año most notably as former President Rodrigo Duterte's DILG chief and as a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force during the pandemic. The retired general had also sat as the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well.

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Before these posts, he had a decorated career as a military man, primarily in intelligence and infantry capacities. He had led the capture of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon of the Communist Party of the Philippines Benito and Wilma Tiamzon back in 2014. Año had also been credited for the death of New People's Army Commander, Leonardo Pitao, known as "Kumander Prago," during his stint as commander of the 10th Infantry Division.

Carlos was appointed by the president at the beginning of his term, making her one of his first choices for the Cabinet posts. In June 2022, the then-National Security Adviser called red-tagging progressive groups as "unproductive." Nevertheless, she will still be working for the Marcos government albeit in a different capacity. She will be providing the Lower House with technical assistance in formulating policies of national, fiscal, economic, and social concerns.

"I have realized that it is no longer politic to continue as NSA to the President and so, I have decided to migrate to another agency where my expertise on foreign, defense and security policy will be of use and I shall continue to help build a Better Philippines," she expressed in a statement.