Lt. General Eduardo Año was the commanding general of the Philippine Army before being appointed as the 48th chief of staff of the AFP.
Lt. General Eduardo Año of the Philippine Army (PA) officially assumed at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff in a turnover ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, December 7.
General Año succeeded General Ricardo Visaya who officially retired on the same day after reaching the age of 56.
The new AFP chief of staff was a seasoned military officer and the 57th commanding general of the Philippine Army before being appointed as the 48th chief of staff of the AFP.
“I am but a soldier just like you – a public servant dreaming of greater things for the military organization and a better nation. To all of you, I dedicate my term”, General Año said in his speech during the turnover ceremony.
President Rodrigo Duterte, who was present during the turnover ceremony, was thanked by Año for choosing him to get the post and assured that the AFP will be in full support to the government’s war against illegal drugs.
“In line with the call of the President to protect the future generations of Filipinos, the AFP shall extend all necessary military capabilities to support the lead of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies in bringing down drug syndicates and eradicating illegal drugs”.
He also assured the competent performance of the military’s mandate under his watch and will build upon the momentum and achievement of General Visaya.
The new AFP chief of staff is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matikas” Class of 1983 and began his military service on March 11 of the same year.
He was brigade commander of the 201st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and as commander general of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.