Hermogenes Cendaña Esperon Jr. is a retired Philippine Army General, military officer, and politician. Throughout his career, he held several high-ranking positions in the Philippine government and military. He is widely recognized for his service as the National Security Adviser of the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2022. Prior to his cabinet role, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from 2006 to 2008 and as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army from 2005 to 2006 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. After his retirement from active military service, he also served in the Arroyo administration as the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and as the head of the Presidential Management Staff.
Personal Information
Full Name –> Hermogenes Cendaña Esperon Jr.
Nickname –> Jun Esperon
Date of Birth –> February 9, 1952
Place of Birth –> Asingan, Pangasinan, Philippines
Political Party –> Lakas–CMD
Military Rank –> General (Retired)
Military Service –> Philippine Army (1974–2008)
Family
Esperon Jr. has a background rooted in education and agriculture, as his late father was a teacher and farmer in their hometown. He was a widower with five children after losing his first wife in a car accident in 1991. Later sources indicate he has a total of seven children.
Education
High School –> Philippine Science High School (Graduated as Valedictorian, 1970)
College –> Philippine Military Academy (PMA) – “Marangal” Class of 1974. Graduated as a Cadet, Company Commander of Bravo Company
Graduate School –> Master’s in Management Studies with a major in Public Administration (Philippine Christian University, 1995)
Graduate School –> Master’s in Business Administration (Did not finish, University of the Philippines (UP), 1981–1982).
Military Service (1974–2008) Career
Platoon Leader of B Co., 23rd Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (Basilan, Sulu) (1974–1975).
Commander of B Co., 36th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (Basilan, Sulu, Zamboanga) (1975–1977).
Intelligence Staff Chief, 7th Infantry Division (1987–1989).
Commander, Counterintelligence Group, PA (1990–1991).
Battalion Commander, 30th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (Agusan) (1991–1993).
Chief of Intelligence Staff, Southern Command (SOUTHCOM, now WESTMINCOM) (1995–1996).
Group Commander, Presidential Security Group (PSG) (2002–2003).
Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (J3), AFP (2003–2004).
Commander, 7th Infantry Division (2004).
Commander, Special Operations Command (SOCOM) (2004–2005).
Commanding General, Philippine Army (2005–2006).
Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) (2006–2008).
Civilian Government and Post-Military Career
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) (2008).
Head of the Presidential Management Staff (2009–2010).
Consultant for Manila Bulletin (2012–2016).
Consultant for Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. (2015–2016).
National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Philippines (2016–2022).
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Philtrust Bank (September 2022 to present).
Awards and Honors (Selected)
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.
Order of Lakandula Grand Cross (Bayani) (2010 and 2022).
PMA Cavalier Award (Outstanding Alumnus) (1999) and PMA Lifetime Achievement Award (2024).
Four Philippine Legion of Honor and Eleven Distinguished Service Star.
RELATED: Cabinet Members and Other High Officials under President Bongbong Marcos