Philippines’ Marcos names new military chief
Nafarrete will lead the 160,000-strong military as it shifts toward external defense and a multi-billion-dollar modernization drive, officials said.
- On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, succeeding retiring General Romeo Brawner Jr.
- Completing a three-year fixed tenure, Brawner became the first military chief to finish the full term prescribed by the Act Further Strengthening Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernization Initiatives.
- A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1990, Nafarrete previously led the Philippine Army as its 67th commanding general, emphasizing that "every soldier matters" while pushing for modernization.
- The Department of National Defense announced the leadership transition hours before the change-of-command ceremony, confirming that Lieutenant General Donald Gumiran will replace Nafarrete as the new commanding general of the Philippine Army.
- Leading the 160,000-strong military until July 2029, Nafarrete will oversee modernization efforts and a strategic shift from internal security operations toward defending Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Marcos says PH won't abandon national dignity, compromise sovereignty
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo MANILA, Philippines — Amid continuing tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared on Tuesday that the Philippines remains committed to peace but will never compromise its sovereignty or abandon its national dignity. He made the remarks during the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony for General Romeo Bra…
Antonio Nafarrete appointed as the new AFP chief
Mikaela Ariar, Philippine Canadian Inquirer July 21, 2026 PHILIPPINES – Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete has been appointed as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines […] The post Antonio Nafarrete appointed as the new AFP chief appeared first on Philippine Canadian Inquirer.
Army general assumes AFP leadership
MANILA, Philippines -- Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. will turn over the mantle of leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to Philippine Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete this Tuesday after a three-year stint.Nafarrete, the AFP’s 61st chief of staff, takes over during a change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the Department of National Defense said.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
