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/1784688775670thumbnail-F7m3y2hyWVI-1280x720 (10).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">General Antonio G. Nafarrete PA formally assumed as the 61st Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) during a Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on July 21, 2026<em>. Courtesy: PAOAFP via Armed Forces of the Philippines/Facebook</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete on Tuesday said the military will continue to “stand our ground” in the West Philippine Sea following the latest confrontation at Ayungin Shoal that left two Philippine Navy personnel injured.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/antonio-nafarrete-is-new-afp-chief-0849">Antonio Nafarrete is new AFP chief</a></div><p>In his first interview after assuming the military’s top post, Nafarrete said the injured personnel were simply carrying out their mission of protecting the BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippines’ military outpost in the area.</p><p>“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 told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.</p><p>He added that troops stationed in the area remain prepared to carry out their mission should similar incidents occur.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/philippines-clash-has-not-changed-south-china-sea-code-hopes-chinese-envoy-0820">Philippines clash &#x27;has not changed&#x27; South China Sea code hopes: Chinese envoy</a></div><p>“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 said.</p><p>Nafarrete said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought a briefing on Monday’s incident during Tuesday’s change of command ceremony.</p><p>“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 noted.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BARMM POLLS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Aside from developments in the West Philippine Sea, Nafarrete said the AFP is now focused on securing the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).</p><p>“The immediate order is we are preparing for the BARMM election. That’s one of the very near major security operations,” Nafarrete said.</p><p>He also expressed confidence in taking on the military’s highest post.</p><p>“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,” the AFP chief said.</p><p>Nafarrete likewise urged the men and women of the AFP to remain professional and committed to their constitutional mandate.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>WHO IS NAFARRETE?</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Nafarrete formally assumed command as the AFP’s 61st Chief of Staff on Tuesday, succeeding Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who retired after completing his fixed three-year term.</p><p>Before his appointment, Nafarrete served as Commanding General of the Philippine Army.</p><p>A native of Iloilo and a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990, Nafarrete is a full-blooded Scout Ranger who has served in various combat areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.</p><p>He previously commanded the 1st Infantry Division, 6th Infantry Division, Western Mindanao Command, and the Philippine Army, and also served with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and the AFP’s Joint Special Operations Group.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</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/ZCM51Zk2smE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></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/m_TG4lCKQnk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Newly-installed AFP chief Gen. Antonio Nafarrete on Tuesday said the military will continue to “stand our ground” in the West Philippine Sea following the latest confrontation at Ayungin Shoal that left two Philippine Navy personnel injured.</p>

Newly-installed AFP chief Gen. Antonio Nafarrete on Tuesday said the military will continue to “stand our ground” in the West Philippine Sea following the latest confrontation at Ayungin Shoal that left two Philippine Navy personnel injured.

New AFP chief Nafarrete vows to ‘stand our ground’ in West PH Sea

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New AFP chief Nafarrete vows to ‘stand our ground’ in West PH Sea

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 22, 2026 11:00 AM PHT

Read More:

Armed Forces of the Philippines

chief of staff

Gen. Antonio Nafarrete

West Philippine Sea

stand our ground

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