Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Hermogenes Cendaña Esperon Jr. (; born February 9, 1952) is a retired Philippine Army general who served as the National Security Adviser in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2022. He was the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2006 to 2008 and Commanding General of the Philippine Army from 2005 to 2006 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. After his retirement from the military, he served in Arroyo's administration as the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and later as the head of the Presidential Management Staff.

President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. during the Joint 68th National Security Council and 69th NICA Founding Anniversary Celebration at the PICC in Pasay on July 31, 2018.

Professional experience

Esperon's professional government experience includes: Presidential Management Staff, 2009-2010 Office of The Presidential Adviser on The Peace Process (OPAPP), 2008 Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of The Philippines (CSAFP), 2006-2008 Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA), 2005-2006 Special Operations Command (SOCOM), 2004-2005 7th Infantry Division, PA, (Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija), 2004 Deputy chief of staff for operations (J3, AFP), 2003-2004 Group commander, Presidential Security Group (PSG), AFP, 2002-2003 103rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, PA (Basilan), 2001 602nd Infantry Brigade, 6th Infantry Division, PA (Carmen, Cotabato), 2000-2001 Assistant chief of staff for operations (G3, PA), 1999-2000 Chief, Joint Operations Center (JOC), General Headquarters, AFP, 1998-1999 Deputy group commander (PSG), AFP, 1996–1998. Commander Presidential Escorts (PSG), AFP, 1997-1998 Concurrent Task Group Commander, Task Force Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), 1996 Chief of Intelligence Staff, Southern Command (SOUTHCOM, Currently WESTMINCOM), AFP (Zamboanga City), 1995-1996 Deputy for Operations (G3, PA), 1993 Battalion Commander, 30th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (Agusan), 1991 -1993 Commander, Counterintelligence Group, PA, 1990-1991 Staff, Southern Command (SOUTHCOM, Currently WESTMINCOM), AFP (Zamboanga City), 1989-1990 Intelligence Staff Chief, 7th Infantry Division, PA (Currently Northern Luzon Command - NoLCom, Camp Aquino, Tarlac), 1987-1989 National Intelligence and Security Authority (Currently National Intelligence Coordinating Agency - NICA), 1977- 1982 Commander, B Co., 36th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (Basilan, Sulu, Zamboanga), 1975-1977 Platoon Leader, B Co., 23rd Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (Basilan, Sulu), 1974 -1975 Cadet, Philippine Military Academy (PMA), 1970-1974

Education and training

Esperon's education and training include: Philippine Science High School, "Pisay Dos" Class of 1970 Philippine Military Academy "Marangal" Class, 1974 Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course, Philippine Army, 1973 Infantry Officer Basic Course, 1974 Intelligence Officer Basic Course, ISAFP, 1976 Integrated Service Attache Course, DFA, 1981 Master's in Business Administration, University of the Philippines, 1981-1982 (DNF) Infantry Officer Advance Course, 1986 Master's in Management studies with a major in Public Administration, Philippine Christian University, 1995 Joint Services Command and General Staff Course, AFP, 1996

Awards and recognition

Esperon's awards include:

King's Award of Malaysia, 2007 Lagablab Award, Philippine Science High School, 2001

PMA Cavalier Award (as outstanding alumnus of the Philippine Military Academy), 1999

Three Command Plaque

Three Outstanding Service Awards Plaque of Merit

Grand Military Awards conferred by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia

Present affiliations

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Philtrust Bank, September 2022 to date Consultant, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., 2015-2016 Consultant Manila Bulletin, 2012-2016 Partner, RVS 4-Star Maricultured Coral Farms, 2012–present Lifetime member, Philippine Military Courses; Handicap 12

Political career

Esperon ran for a position as Congressman in the 6th District of Pangasinan in the past May 2010 elections but lost.

Controversies

Irked by Partylist Representatives Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza's opposition to his bid to seek a congressional seat in the May polls, outgoing Presidential Management Staff Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. demanded that the two lawmakers, who are also seeking seats in the Senate, to come clean about their links with the underground leftist "legal fronts" known to be connected with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New people's Army (CPP-NPA).

Esperon said he was "proud of his achievements as a former Armed Forces’ chief of staff, especially in the government's fight against the communist insurgency".

As the assistant chief of staff for operations, J3 at General Headquarters, AFP; Esperon was implicated during the 2004 alleged election fraud. He was mentioned in taped conversations called the "Garci Tapes" to have worked for the relief of a brigade commander in Lanao who was not sympathetic to then presidential candidate Macapagal-Arroyo. However, his involvement has not been proven.