ISAFP chief appointed as Army commander in Compostela Valley

Major General Eduardo Año. INQUIRER  FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The military’s intelligence chief has been appointed as the commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division based in rebel-infested Compostela Valley.

Major General Eduardo Año, chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will replace Major General Ariel Bernardo, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Friday, according to Army chief Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberri.

Año was one of the officers tagged on the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos. He was later cleared by the Department of Justice.

“As former chief of ISAFP, I expect him to do well. He knows the security situation on the ground, and he can focus in his area of responsibility,” Iriberri said.

The presence of New People’s Army in Compostela Valley has been rampant in the previous years.

“He knows the security situation with his excellent record at 201st Brigade. I’m sure he will be bringing with him his style of leadership and his experience in ISAFP. It will come in handy, I expect him to perform outstandingly,” Iriberri also said.

The 10th Infantry Division covers Davao region, Sarangani and Southern Cotabato.

Año is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983 and is a classmate of Iriberri.

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