President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday presided over the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, formally closing General Romeo S. Brawner Jr.'s tenure as the 60th AFP Chief of Staff and installing General Antonio G. Nafarrete as the military's 61st top officer.
Brawner Exits as First Chief to Complete Full Three-Year Term
General Brawner's departure marks a historic milestone in Philippine military governance. According to the AFP, he is the first Chief of Staff to complete a full three-year term under Republic Act No. 11939, the law that established fixed three-year terms for the position.
Brawner led the AFP from 2023 to 2026, anchoring his tenure on the UNITY Framework — an acronym standing for Unification, Normalization, Internal Security Operations, Territorial Defense, and Youth Development. The AFP said the framework guided efforts to strengthen operational readiness, advance capability development, and equip the military to address both conventional and emerging security threats.
Marcos Confers Top Military Honor on Brawner
President Marcos paid tribute to Brawner's more than four decades of military service during the ceremony. The President recognized Brawner's contributions to strengthening the Armed Forces during what Marcos described as a critical period in the country's security environment.
Marcos conferred upon Brawner the Philippine Legion of Honor with the degree of Chief Commander — one of the highest honors the state can bestow on a military officer — for his meritorious and exceptional service to the nation.
Nafarrete: From Mindanao Commands to AFP's Top Post
General Antonio G. Nafarrete formally assumed command as the 61st AFP Chief of Staff during the same ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo. Before his appointment, Nafarrete served as the 67th Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy "Bigkis-Lahi" Class of 1990, Nafarrete brings extensive field and command experience to the role. He previously led the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, and the Western Mindanao Command, according to the AFP.
Nafarrete holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Philippine Christian University. He also completed several advanced military courses in the United States, including the US Army Ranger Course, the Joint and Combined Warfighting Course at the National Defense University, and the Comprehensive Security Response to Terrorism Course at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.
Nafarrete Cites Territorial Defense as Top Priority
In his inaugural remarks, Nafarrete reaffirmed the AFP's constitutional mandate and outlined his key priorities for his term. The incoming AFP chief identified strengthening territorial defense and advancing the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) as among his top concerns.
"Our mission continues, our duty endures, and our commitment to the Filipino people shall remain unwavering," Nafarrete said, adding that lasting peace must be supported by credible military capability, sustained operational readiness, and a firm resolve to defend the country's sovereignty and national interests.
AFP Emphasizes Institutional Continuity in Transition
The AFP said the change of command highlights the military's commitment to professional leadership succession while maintaining its core mission of defending national sovereignty, protecting the Filipino people, and supporting peace, security, and national development.
The AFP further stated that the leadership transition reflects the Armed Forces' continued commitment to professionalism, institutional continuity, and safeguarding national security amid evolving regional and global challenges.
By the Numbers
- 60th — Brawner's rank order as AFP Chief of Staff
- 61st — Nafarrete's rank order as the incoming AFP Chief of Staff
- 3 years — Fixed term established by Republic Act No. 11939 for the AFP Chief of Staff position
- 2023–2026 — Duration of Brawner's tenure as AFP Chief of Staff
- 67th — Nafarrete's previous designation as Commanding General of the Philippine Army
- 1990 — Nafarrete's Philippine Military Academy graduation class ("Bigkis-Lahi")
- 40+ years — Brawner's total military service recognized by President Marcos
Why This Matters
The ceremony marks the first time an AFP Chief of Staff has completed the full three-year term introduced by Republic Act No. 11939, establishing an institutional precedent for stable, long-term military leadership in the Philippines. Nafarrete's stated focus on the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept signals a continued emphasis on territorial defense at a time the AFP describes as a period of evolving regional and global security challenges. The transition, presided over by the President himself, underscores the high political and strategic significance attached to AFP leadership succession.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines