Palace: Año to exit early to start work in DILG

MALACAÑANG confirmed Saturday that Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-ofStaff Gener al Eduardo Año will retire next month to start his work in the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

"The early retirement of AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Año is to pave the way for a smooth transition to his formal assumption as the incoming Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte has designated Año as the next DILG secretary, saying the outgoing AFP chief can address the problems within the Philippine National Police because he "knows the police by the fingertips of his hands."

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday said Año, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on October 26, will exit his post on June 2. Año serves as AFP chief for only months.

Lorenzana said he asked Duterte to allow the military chief to finish his term before taking over the DILG position but his request was rejected.

Abella said Año's replacement is yet to be announced because the AFP Board of Generals is currently deliberating who will next lead the 125,000strong military force.

"On the next AFP Chief of Staff, the AFP Board of Generals is yet to submit a shortlist of candidates six to the President," he sai d.

But the President had announced Friday in Davao City that Army Lieutenant General Rey Leonardo Guerrero will be the next AFP chief.

"We have Lieutenant General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the chief of staff,” Duterte said.

Guerrero, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1984, is currently the head of the Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, the President's hometown.