MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — Former Interior Secretary Eduardo Año is the new National Security Adviser (NSA), replacing Clarita Carlos, Malacañang announced Saturday.

Photos released by the Presidential Communications Office showed Año taking his oath of office before President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

The PCO said Carlos "has decided to continue her pursuit of scholastic endeavors" by joining the House of Representatives' Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department. The CPBRD gives the chamber "technical service in the formulation of national economic, fiscal, and social policies."

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"I have realized that it is no longer politic to continue as NSA to the President," Carlos said in a separate statement.

"I have decided to migrate to another agency where my expertise on foreign, defense and security policy will be of use and I shall continue to help build a better Philippines," she added.

Carlos appeared as NSA when she was among the guests during Friday's Laging Handa briefing wherein she said China is interested in partnering with Philippine fishing villages and bared the plans of the country's anti-insurgency task force this year.

She also questioned the allotted budget for the NTF-ELCAC this year, which allegedly went down to just P6.3 billion from the original P10 billion.

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The appointment of Año, a former military chief, comes after the changes in the leadership in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Department of National Defense last week.

In his own statement, Año thanked Marcos Jr. for the "trust and confidence" in appointing him.

"The position of the NSA and the duties and responsibilities that it entails are certainly enormous and complex. After all, security in itself encompasses multi-dimensional and multifaceted aspects," he said.

"Nevertheless, I am confident and impassioned to contribute in helping our President and the rest of key government officials in ensuring the protection of the Filipino people, our sovereignty, territorial integrity and our democratic institutions," he added.

"Pressing external and internal issues directly affecting our national security, clearly exist. As such, let us, in the spirit of unity, work hand in hand, towards a peaceful and progressive country."

But progressive group Karapatan criticized Año's appointment, describing it as "akin to a death sentence to many Filipinos."

Karapatan cited Año's military and government record, alleging that his years in service werer marked with "a brutal record of human rights violations across administrations."

“We deplore his appointment, as we cry for justice for thousands of victims killed, massacred, abducted and disappeared, and communities terrorized by state security forces under Año’s command,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay.

“Throughout key positions in the military and government, Año carried with him the brutal mindset of a militarist and mercenary aimed at annihilating government critics, activists, and alleged dissenters,” she added.

The group attributed to Año several human rights incidents, including the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos in 2007, the killing of 3 indigenous Filipinos in Paquibato, Davao City, and extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

“As national security adviser, Año is now one of the biggest threats to people’s life and security in the land, completing Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s arsenal of butchers in his Cabinet," Karapatan said in a statement.

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