Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 26) — The recently retired Philippine military chief who successfully led government troops against terrorists in Marawi City was named by President Rodrigo Duterte as undersecretary in the powerful Interior Department.
President Duterte appointed retired Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Eduardo Año as undersecretary at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), according to a memorandum dated October 26. A copy of the document was obtained Friday by CNN Philippines.
The post of DILG undersecretary is seen as a stepping stone to Año’s eventual leadership of the DILG, which supervises local government units throughout the country and the Philippine National Police.
The appointment also came on the same day of Año’s retirement, which was celebrated Thursday in formal ceremonies. The ceremony came days after the Defense Department announced on October 23 the end of combat operations in Marawi City. After five months of fierce urban warfare, government troops ended the ISIS-inspired Maute Group’s bid to overrun the city.
READ: Fighting in Marawi City is over
Since August, the President has said that he wished to keep Año in public service even after his retirement from the military. On Thursday at Año’s retirement ceremony, Duterte repeated his wish to appoint him as DILG Secretary.
“General Año goes to be from a General to a Secretary of the Cabinet. He would head the Department of Interior and Local Government,” Duterte said.
The President commended Año for guiding the armed forces in maintaining the nation’s security while gaining the trust of Filipinos.
“General Año took command of the AFP in December of last year. He was immediately beset with natural disaster that’s tested his leadership skills, proving his capability outside combat,” Duterte said.
READ: Duterte: Retired AFP chief to head DILG after a year
However, a one-year ban prevents Año from assuming the top post, since Republic Act 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 states that “no retired or resigned military officer or police official may be appointed as Secretary within one year from the date of his retirement or resignation.”
Año retired as AFP chief after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. He was replaced by Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero.
