ZAMBOANGA CITY – Major Gen. Antonio Nafarette was named as the new commander of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command.
He assumed the position during a turnover ceremony at the Wesmincom headquarters here on Wednesday, Nov. 20, led by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
MAJOR Gen. Antonio Nafarette was tapped to lead the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command following the retirement of Lt. Gen. William Gonzales.
Nafarette replaced Lt. Gen. William Gonzales who retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 in the military.
Nafarrete was the erstwhile 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central commander based in Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
His proactive measures in security led to the dismantling of several key threat groups in the area through the cooperation of the local government units and the community.
Brawner lauded Gonzales for his achievements during his stint at Westmincom and urged the men and women of the unit to support Nafarrete.
He reminded them of the mid-term elections and areas of concern in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Brawner warned forces who plan to destabilize next year’s elections that they will face the full force of the military.
“Let us unite our efforts in facing the challenges ahead with determination and solidarity collectively,” said Brawner.
Nafarette said he aims to put in place the same plan that he established in his former assignment in dealing with security threats: Cooperation with local government units and stakeholders.