PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has designated Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), as the chief of the 110,000-strong Philippine Army.
Nafarrete succeeded Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, who bowed out of the service after serving as Army chief for nearly two years.
The president, who is the AFP’s commander-in-chief, led the change of command and retirement ceremony from Galido to Nafarrete at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on Thursday morning.
Nafarette will be the military’s 67th Army chief.
Marcos conferred the Presidential Legion of Honor (PLOH) Award on Galido in recognition of his exceptional service and dedication during his tenure.
Galido also received various plaques and awards recognizing his invaluable contributions to the Philippine Army since his assumption in August 2023.
Nafarrete was a classmate of Galido at the Philippine Military Academy Class 1990.
Before assuming his post as commander of the Zamboanga City-based Westmincom in November last year, Nafarrete was the commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.
He also previously commanded the 1st Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force Zampelan of Westmincom and held various leadership positions in the 1101st Infantry Brigade, 11th Infantry Division and the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.
The Philippine Army welcomed the appointment of Nafarrete as its commanding general.
“A seasoned leader with decades of service, Lt. Gen. Nafarrete brings integrity, experience, and a strong commitment to the Army’s mission of peace and national development,” said Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala.
“We extend our full support as he assumes command,” Dema-ala added.
Dema-ala said the Army, under Nafarrete’s leadership, “will continue to enhance operational readiness, pursue modernization, and uphold its core values of honor, patriotism, and duty in service to the Filipino people.”
