ILOILO City – An Ilonggo general has risen to the country’s highest military post.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Calinog, Iloilo native Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete as the 61st chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Nafarrete, 57, succeeded General Romeo Brawner Jr., who retired from military service on Tuesday, July 21, after completing his term as AFP chief.
The Department of National Defense (DND) announced the appointment hours before the AFP change-of-command and retirement ceremony at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Before his appointment, Nafarrete served as the 67th commanding general of the Philippine Army, a position he had held since July 2025.
As AFP chief, Nafarrete said troop welfare would be among his priorities, stressing that “every soldier matters” as he seeks to strengthen personnel development, morale, health, education and financial literacy while continuing the military’s modernization.
He also vowed to sustain the AFP’s internal and external defense missions, including operations against remaining insurgents and the defense of Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea.
Nafarrete’s elevation also triggered a major leadership reshuffle, with Lieutenant General Donald Gumiran, former commander of the Western Mindanao Command, named the new commanding general of the Philippine Army.
“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,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990, Nafarrete has held several key command positions throughout his military career.
He previously headed the Western Mindanao Command and the 6th Infantry Division, where he helped oversee operations against communist insurgents and Islamic militants in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and parts of Lanao del Norte.
He also served as commander of the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan and held leadership posts in the 11th Infantry Division, the 1101st Infantry Brigade and the AFP Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.
As Army chief, Nafarrete pushed force modernization, technological upgrades, organizational reforms and greater interoperability with allied militaries.
He advocated a modernization program suited to the Philippines’ archipelagic geography and evolving security needs instead of merely adopting foreign military models.
Proud Calinognon
Born in Metro Manila on Feb. 22, 1969, Nafarrete is the son of a lawyer from Pangasinan and a teacher from Calinog, Iloilo.
He spent part of his childhood in Iloilo, studied at Calinog Elementary School and graduated from the West Visayas State University Integrated Laboratory School in 1986. He entered the PMA that same year and graduated in 1990.
The Calinog municipal government was among the first to congratulate Nafarrete on his appointment.
“Congratulations to Lieutenant General Antonio Gustilo Nafarrete, a proud son of Calinog, Iloilo, on your appointment as the new Chief of Staff by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr,” the local government said.
It described Nafarrete’s appointment as a testament to his dedication, competence and unwavering commitment to public service.
“As a fellow Calinognon, your achievement is a source of immense pride and inspiration to our community. May you continue to lead with integrity, wisdom, and excellence as you take on this important responsibility in serving the Filipino people,” it added.
WVSU also hailed the appointment of its alumnus.
“As an alumnus of WVSU Integrated Laboratory School (Class of 1986) and our distinguished speaker during the 2026 University Recognition Program, Lieutenant General Nafarrete reflects our university’s enduring tradition of leadership, dedication, and service to the nation,” the Office of the WVSU President said.
“The WVSU community, led by University President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, wishes him wisdom, fortitude, and success as he assumes this significant responsibility in leading the nation’s armed services,” it added.
In October 2025, the Iloilo provincial government, led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., presented Nafarrete with a plaque of recognition and a resolution of commendation following his appointment as Philippine Army commanding general./PN
