MANILA — Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Antonio Nafarrete, a native of Calinog, Iloilo, vowed that the military would firmly defend the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea, declaring Filipino troops are prepared to “stand our ground” following the recent confrontation at Ayungin Shoal that left two Philippine Navy personnel injured.
Assuming command as the AFP’s 61st chief of staff, Nafarrete said the injured sailors had been performing their duty of protecting the BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippines’ military outpost in Ayungin Shoal, and assured the public that the armed forces would continue carrying out its mission despite tensions in the disputed waters.
“I think they were doing their job very professionally. They were in a position of telling them [China Coast Guard] to get away from LS-57. Atin ’yon, military post natin ’yon,” Nafarrete said on Wednesday.
He stressed that Filipino troops stationed in the West Philippine Sea remain prepared to respond to similar incidents while observing established rules of engagement.
“We have to stand our ground. Atin ’yan. Rest assured that we will do our jobs, and I think they are ready for it. We have our rules of engagement also there,” he added.
Nafarrete disclosed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. personally sought a detailed briefing on the Ayungin Shoal incident during Tuesday’s AFP change of command ceremony.
“He wanted to know what actually happened and what actions have already been taken. We briefed the President that the two personnel are already safe,” he said.
While reaffirming the military’s commitment to defending the country’s territorial interests, Nafarrete identified preparations for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the AFP’s immediate operational priority.
“The immediate order is we are preparing for the BARMM election. That’s one of the very near major security operations,” Nafarrete said.
The new military chief also expressed confidence in leading the country’s armed forces, saying the AFP already has the necessary systems in place to sustain its operations.
“Mainit [ang panahon], pero mainit din ang welcome. I think I’m up to the challenge. Moving forward, we just have to sustain. Nandiyan na lahat ng systems,” he said.
Nafarrete likewise called on AFP officers and enlisted personnel to continue fulfilling their constitutional mandate with professionalism and dedication.
The Ilonggo general formally assumed command of the AFP on Tuesday, succeeding Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who retired after completing his fixed three-year term as chief of staff.
Before his appointment, Nafarrete served as commanding general of the Philippine Army. A native of Iloilo and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990, he is a career Scout Ranger who previously commanded the 1st Infantry Division, 6th Infantry Division, Western Mindanao Command, and the Philippine Army. He also served with the Presidential Security Group and the AFP Joint Special Operations Group./PN
