Año 'surprised' by Duterte's announcement of his next assignment

Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement that he will be the next Interior and Local Government Secretary caught him by surprise.

'[I was] surprised because... although there is already talk that I'm being considered for a government position once I retire, not this soon, very soon, so biglaan 'yung announcement kanina," Año said.

Duterte, who is bound for Cambodia, China and Hong Kong for a series of official visits, made the announcement Wednesday afternoon during a pre-departure press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Año, who will retire in October, will replace Ismael Sueno, whom Duterte fired in April over allegations of corruption.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Matikas Class of '83, Año said as DILG chief, he will "do [his] best to be able to contribute" in solving the country's many problems.

"Ang atin namang pag-solve sa lahat ng issues at problems ay whole of government approach and whole of nation initiative, so sa mga efforts natin especially sa pag-solve ng internal security problem natin palagi namang magkakasama yan, interagency, so more or less, alam ko naman kung ano ang role ng DILG sa pag-solve ng ating internal security problem," he said.

Militant organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) has voiced its opposition to Año's appointment, noting his alleged involvement in the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos. —KBK, GMA News