CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (July 22) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Philippine Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete as the 61st chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Department of National Defense (DND) announced the appointment Tuesday, as AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. is set to retire after serving as the military’s top commander.
Nafarrete will take over from Brawner, while Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran will assume the post of Philippine Army commanding general.
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong congratulated the two military leaders on their new assignments.
“The DND congratulates Lieutenant General Nafarrete and Lieutenant General Gumiran on their appointments and looks forward to their leadership in upholding professionalism, excellence, and dedicated service to the Filipino people,” Andolong said in a statement.
Nafarrete’s appointment comes as the AFP continues to address security challenges across the country, including armed insurgency, terrorism and other threats to national security.
The leadership changes are expected to ensure continuity in the military’s operations and strategic priorities as the AFP carries out its mandate to protect the country and its people.
