Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete officially took command of the Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday, succeeding Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, who retired after two years of service as the Army’s chief. The Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony was led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City, where he also awarded Galido the Presidential Legion of Honor (PLOH) for his “exceptional service and dedication” to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Galido, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990, made history as the first Army commanding general to serve two consecutive years under Republic Act 11939, which amended the fixed three-year term provision for key military posts to enhance professionalism and policy continuity within the AFP. During his tenure as the 66th Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA), Galido oversaw significant modernization and territorial defense initiatives, improving the Army’s operational readiness.
Nafarrete, also from the PMA Class of 1990, is now the 67th CGPA. Prior to his appointment, he served as the chief of the AFP Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), where he led joint operations against insurgency and terrorism. He has also commanded the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan, and held key positions in the 1101st Infantry Brigade, 11th Infantry Division, and the AFP’s J3 operations staff.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., a former Army chief, welcomed Nafarrete’s appointment, emphasizing the importance of close coordination between the CGPA and the AFP leadership. “Napakaimportante po na maganda ang working relation namin dahil ang Army ang pinakamalaking puwersa ng Armed Forces natin,” Brawner stated. (It’s very important that we have a strong working relationship because the Army is the biggest force in the AFP.) He added, “Kami ang magbubuklod-buklod ng mga sundalo upang maging propesyonal at moderno ang ating sandatahang lakas.” (We, the AFP leadership, are the ones who will unite our troops toward building a professional and modern armed force.)
Nafarrete assumes command at a critical time, with a heightened focus on external defense and regional security challenges as the AFP transitions to a territorial defense posture under the government’s modernization and national security strategy.