Narciso Abaya is a retired Philippine Army General who served its 32nd Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and 6th under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFP prior appointment as Chief of Staff. He is now the President and CEO of Bases Conversion and Development Authority where he was appointed by President Arroyo in 2004 upon his retirement from Military service.[1][2]

Narciso Abaya
Chief Executive Officer Bases Conversion and Development Authority
In office
April 8, 2003 – October 29, 2004
PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Vice PresidentNoli De Castro
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office
December 8, 2001 – October 29, 2002
PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Vice PresidentTeofisto Guingona Jr
Preceded byDionisio Santiago
Succeeded byEfren Abu
Commander AFP Southern Command
In office
2002–2003
PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Vice PresidentTeofisto Guingona Jr
LeaderGeneral Benjamin Defensor
Preceded byErnesto Carolina
Succeeded byGeneroso Senga
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office
December 8, 2001 – June 5, 2002
PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Preceded byJaime de los Santos
Succeeded byErnesto Carolina
Commander, AFP Southern Luzon Command
In office
March 2000 – December 2001
PresidentJoseph Ejercito Estrada
Vice PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Personal details
BornCaoayan, Ilocos Sur Philippines
SpouseSusan Abaya
EducationMasters in Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science Degree
Alma materLehigh University (1974)
US Military Academy (1971)
Philippine Military Academy
ProfessionMilitary officer
NicknameGen. Abaya
Military service
Allegiance Philippines
Branch/servicePhilippine Army
Years of service1971–2004
RankGeneral General

Early life and education

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Abaya was born in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur on October 4, 1948. He passed the entrance test for Philippine Military Academy entered in 1966. While in his first year there he took entrance exam for US Military Academy and passed. He attended USMA in WestPoint, New York and finish his bachelor's degree in 1971. He holds master's degree in Civil Engineering in Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and topped the Civil Engineering examinations in 1974.

He has a Master of Business Administration diploma from University of the Philippines where he graduated with honors.

Military career

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Upon obtaining additional studies in USA, Abaya came home and assigned to engineering unit. He however found himself to be an aid to then Chief of Staff General Fabian Ver in Malacanang Palace. After Ver's departure in 1986 he was moved to regular unit. There he experiences commanding units in combat with New People's Army and Moro Rebels in Mindanao.

He was appointed to command Southern Luzon Command based in Lucena, Quezon and December 2001 he was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff of Armed Forces and promoted Lieutenant General. He was appointed again by President Arroyo to command AFP Southern Command which provided fatal results to Abu Sayyaf and communist insurgents. He was appointed as Chief of Staff of AFP when General Santiago was nearing his retirement age. He served until October 29, 2002, before retiring from military service.[3]

Later years

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Abaya was appointed as president and CEO of Bases Conversion and Development Agency which handles transactions that handles conversion of the land.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Villanueva, Marichu A. "Abaya named new AFP chief". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  2. ^ Romero, Paolo. "New Armed Forces designations bared". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  3. ^ "Speech of President Arroyo during the AFP Change of Command Ceremony". www.officialgazette.gov.ph.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
April 2003 - October 2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Ernesto Carolina
Commander of AFP Southern Command
October 2002 - April 2003
Succeeded by
Alberto Braganza
Preceded by
Gregorio Camiling
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
October 2002 - April 2003
Succeeded by