Noy names Oban 42nd Armed Forces chief

MANILA, Philippines -  President Aquino yesterday named Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. as the new chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), after Gen. Ricardo David Jr. who is set to retire tomorrow.

Aquino made the announcement during graduation ceremonies of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City.

Oban will take over as the 42nd AFP chief in turnover ceremonies today at Camp Aguinaldo before Aquino flies to Indonesia for a state visit.

Aquino appointed Oban with marching orders to continue implementing the reforms in the AFP.

“May he (Oban) serve as an inspiration to the (PMA) Class ‘Laon Alab’ so that we could immediately reach our goal for the country,” Aquino said in his keynote address to the PMA graduating class of 2011.

Oban is the fifth AFP chief that came from the Philippine Air Force.

Other airmen who became AFP chief were Pelagio Cruz (Dec. 31, 1961 to Aug. 31, 1962), Victor Osias (Jan. 21, 1967 to Aug. 15, 1967), Arnulfo Acedera Jr. (Nov. 28. 1996 to Dec. 31, 1997), and Benjamin Defensor Jr. (Sept. 10, 2002 to Nov. 28, 2002).

Oban will serve as military chief for nine months before his retirement on Dec. 13.

A member of PMA Class of 1979, Oban served as vice commander of the Air Force before moving up as PAF chief.

Oban held the third highest post in the AFP, being the deputy chief of staff responsible for the administration and supervision of the joint coordinating, technical and special staffs of the military headquarters.

Aquino named Oban, a three-star air force general without extensive combat experience but whose name has not been tainted by graft scandals.

He ordered Oban to press on with reforms aimed at curbing graft, promoting human rights and bolstering talks with insurgents.

“I have no doubt that he can continue the reforms that General David started,” Aquino said.

Secretary Ricky Carandang defended the President’s decision to appoint Oban who may only be serving for a very short period of time, contrary to his avowed policy not to follow the “revolving-door” policy of his predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“The President made the choice. There was a series of interviews with the generals. The decision of the President was based on the merits, on the interviews. I think he (Oban) will move forward with the meaningful reforms within the eight or nine months,” Carandang said.

Oban, according to Carandang, had “a very good career” at the Air Force.

“I think no one will question General Oban’s qualifications,” Carandang said.

He said the incoming AFP chief has been tasked to coordinate with Budget Secretary Florencio Abad on proper disbursements of funds in the light of the corruption scandals that rocked the military organization.

Oban’s appointment comes amid the Senate inquiry that had exposed scandals involving the misuse of millions of funds by top generals.

‘Critical time’

Sen. Francis Escudero welcomed the appointment of Oban as he urged the incoming military chief to take the initiative in ensuring that the AFP under his leadership will be true to its commitment to the Filipino people.

“I welcome the appointment of Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. as the new Armed Forces chief of staff. I do not personally know Lt. Gen. Oban, but his appointment from among equally deserving list of men is a well needed transfusion to the country’s armed troops whose morale dropped given previous allegations and exposes in the military by certain officers,” Escudero said.

Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, challenged Oban to bring back the integrity and respect the AFP deserves but may have been diminished during recent scandals brought about by some of its own men.

Escudero was referring to the accusations hurled by former budget officer Col. George Rabusa that former AFP chiefs had received millions of “pabaon” or sendoff money from AFP budget as had been the “tradition” in the military.

One of the accused, former defense chief Angelo Reyes, denied the allegation but committed suicide at his mother’s grave last month as the Senate investigation continued.

“Lt. Gen. Oban comes at a critical time in the history of our Armed Forces. We want to see our new chief of staff rally the troops and raise their morale and standard once again as the country’s guardians of democracy and Constitution,” Escudero said.

“With all these scandals rocking the Armed Forces, I hope Lt. Gen. Oban would be able to insulate the institution from these few rotten officers who do not represent the entirety of the military,” Escudero stressed.

David, the outgoing AFP chief, said Oban’s extensive military experience makes him qualified to lead the 120,000-strong military.

“Oban’s stint as deputy chief of staff along with his extensive assignments in various staff, directorial and command positions at different levels… has definitely prepared him for the job of a chief of staff,” David said.

David is confident that Oban would continue programs that will modernize the armed forces and enhance the troops’ efficiency against threat groups.

“A well-educated military officer, his (Oban) appointment as AFP chief is a validation of the AFP leadership’s trust in his capability,” David said.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. described Oban as a “mild mannered strategic thinker, strategic planner, true blue air force officer and fighter.”

Before entering the PMA, Oban graduated from the University of Santo Tomas. He also obtained a master’s degree in business economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific, and was one of the top graduates of his PMA class.

He bested at least eight other contenders, including the most senior of them, Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz (PMA 1979), who is retiring in November, and the youngest, AFP operations chief of staff Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista (PMA 1981), who is retiring in 2014.

Oban helped negotiate for the surrender of Oakwood mutineers in 2003 when he was a colonel.

He was among those chosen by the mutinous Magdalo rebel soldiers to be part of the government panel that negotiated with them for their return to barracks.

A former instructor pilot, Oban hails from Sorsogon. He once served as special assistant to former Marcos trade minister Roberto Ongpin and former defense minister now Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Oban is a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including four Distinguished Service Stars, a number of Military Merit Medals, a Golden Aviator Award, two Group Commander of the Year awards, PAF Group Commander of the Year Award and various military commendation medals. –With Artemio Dumlao, Christina Mendez, Alexis Romero