Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784609312113viber_image_2026-07-21_09-57-04-670 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Incoming AFP chief-of-staff Antonio Nafarrete.<em> AFP handout via Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete has been appointed as the 61st Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), succeeding Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the Department of National Defense (DND) announced on Tuesday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/31/marcos-names-lt-gen-antonio-nafarrete-as-new-army-chief-1005">Marcos names Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete as new Army chief Harlene Delgado,</a></div><p>Brawner will formally relinquish command during a change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City after completing his fixed three-year term as AFP chief.</p><p>“The Department of National Defense, upon the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is pleased to announce the appointment of Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete as the incoming Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, following the retirement of General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. today,” the DND said in a statement.</p><p>The DND also announced the appointment of Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran, currently the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army, replacing Nafarrete.</p><p>Brawner assumed the AFP’s top post in July 2023, becoming the first AFP chief to complete the fixed three-year term under Republic Act No. 11939.</p><p>During his tenure, the military intensified its shift toward external defense, accelerated modernization efforts, and strengthened defense partnerships amid security challenges in the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vioCwxThqnI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete is the incoming Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) following the retirement of General Romeo Brawner Jr., the Department of National Defense announced Tuesday.</p>

Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete is the incoming Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) following the retirement of General Romeo Brawner Jr., the Department of National Defense announced Tuesday.

Antonio Nafarrete is new AFP chief

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Antonio Nafarrete is new AFP chief

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 21, 2026 08:49 AM PHT

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Updated July 21, 2026 12:49 PM PHT

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AFP

armed forces

Antonio Nafarrete

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Romeo Brawner Jr.

Armed Forces of the Philippines

chief of staff

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