Richard Saunders, Phnom Penh
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed retired General Ricardo David Oban Jr., former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as the country’s new National Security Adviser. The move is seen as a strategic effort to bolster the administration’s national security leadership, pairing Oban’s military expertise with Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.’s modernization agenda.
Oban, who served as AFP Chief in 2011, brings decades of operational and intelligence experience to the role. As National Security Adviser, he will directly counsel the President on national security matters, oversee the National Security Council, and coordinate across defense, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies.
Analysts say the Marcos administration now has a “military-heavy” tandem at the helm of its security apparatus. With Teodoro leading defense policy and Oban guiding national security strategy, the Philippines is expected to adopt a more assertive stance in the West Philippine Sea, strengthen counterterrorism coordination, and expand focus on cybersecurity and emerging threats.
“This appointment signals a unified front in addressing both external and internal challenges,” one defense observer noted. “It ensures that national security decisions will be informed by deep operational experience while aligning with the country’s defense modernization goals.”
The Marcos–Teodoro–Oban alignment underscores the administration’s intent to pursue proactive maritime defense, deepen alliances with regional partners, and enhance resilience against non-traditional threats such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
