COMMANDING-GENERAL of the Philippine Army Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete was appointed the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Promoted to General in the process, Gen Nafarrete replaces the outgoing General Romeo Brawner Jr. and becomes the 61st Chief of Staff in an event presided over by the Commander-in-Chief, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on July 21.
Prior to his assumption, General Nafarrete served as the 67th Commanding General of the Philippine Army from July 31, 2025 and previously commanded the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and the Western Mindanao Command.
Lt Gen Nafarrete assumed command of the Army on July 31, 2025. Prior to his appointment as Army chief, he served as chief of the AFP Western Mindanao Command, where he led joint operations against insurgency and terrorism.
In his remarks, General Nafarrete reaffirmed the AFP’s enduring constitutional mandate, emphasising that strengthening territorial defence and advancing the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) will be among his foremost priorities. “Our mission continues, our duty endures, and our commitment to the Filipino people shall remain unwavering,” he said, adding that peace must be backed by credible capability, sustained readiness, and the resolve to defend the country’s sovereignty and national interests.
A Department of National Defense (DND) statement read, “The Department of National Defense, upon the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., is pleased to announce the appointment of Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete as the incoming Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, following the retirement of General Romeo S. Brawner Jr..”
In the meantime, Western Mindanao Command chief, Lt Gen Donald Gumiran will take over the Philippine Army’s top job. “The DND congratulates Lt. Gen. Nafarrete and Lt. Gen. Gumiran on their appointments and looks forward to their leadership in upholding professionalism, excellence, and dedicated service to the Filipino people,” the statement continued.
The outgoing Gen Brawner, is the first AFP chief to complete a three-year term under Republic Act 11939, otherwise known as An Act Further Strengthening Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernisation Initiatives in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, signed in 2023. He was appointed AFP chief on July 21, 2023, having been appointed as Army chief on Dec. 7, 2021.
