MANILA (Updated 5:38 p.m.) -- Former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Eduardo Oban Jr. will be a new acting undersecretary for the Department of Transportation and Communication, a Palace office said Saturday.

Speaking over state-run dzRB radio, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Oban will be the DOTC undersecretary for operations, replacing Rafael Santos, who was transferred to the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Oban, a native of Castilla, Sorsogon, belongs to the Philippine Military Academy "Matapat" Class of 1979. He obtained a master's degree in Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific in 2005.

A recipient of several awards, including military merit medals, Oban held various AFP positions such as public information officer, deputy chief of staff, and vice commander of the Air Force.

The ex-military chief played a significant role in the government negotiation with Magdalo rebels involved in the Oakwood mutiny in 2003. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)