ISAFP chief named head of division securing NPA hotbed

MANILA, Philippines - The military’s top spy has been named the new commander of the Army division securing the Davao region, a known hotbed of communist rebels.

Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) commander Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año would assume leadership of the 10th Infantry Division on Friday, Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri said Wednesday.

Año will succeed Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Saturday.

“I expect him (Año) to do well. He knows the security situation on the ground,” Iriberri said

“With his good record in the 201st brigade, I’m sure he will be bringing with him his style of leadership and his experience,” he added.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said they are optimistic that their troops in Davao could vanquish insurgency under Año’s leadership.

“He (Año) is an asset and we can defeat the enemy the soonest,” Zagala said, noting that the region serves as the New People’s Army’s (NPA) center of gravity.

There is no word yet as to who will replace Año as ISAFP chief.

Before his appointment as ISAFP commander, Año was the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence. He also served as the commander of the Army’s 201st Infantry Brigade

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy class ’83, Año was credited for the capture of several NPA leaders.

He was dragged in a controversy after he was implicated in the abduction of activist Jonas Burgos who went missing in 2007. The Justice department, however, dismissed the arbitrary detention charges against Año and five other officers last year due to lack of probable cause.

Burgos was said to be kidnapped by armed men in 2007 and was dragged to a Toyota Revo van whose license plates were traced to another vehicle earlier impounded by the military in Bulacan. – with a report from I. Bongcales