Since he became the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in 2023, General Romeo Brawner Jr. has a personal tradition every Christmas that he tries to keep alive. This year, the highest-ranking military official of the country made sure that it would continue.

Brawner visited the military’s frontline units on the ground to celebrate the Christmas season with them and the upcoming 89^th founding anniversary of the AFP on Dec. 21.

From Dec. 16 to 17, the military chief visited Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and brought holiday cheers to the men and women of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) [SFRA], Light Reaction Regiment (LRR), Army Aviation Regiment (AvnR), Army Artillery Regiment (AAR), 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division (7ID), Installation Management Command (IMCOM), and First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR).

“Umikot ako sa Fort Magsaysay, dinalaw ko lahat ng mga units natin dahil ‘yun ‘yung ginawa kong tradition para sa sarili ko (I went around Fort Magsaysay and visited all the units there because I made that a personal tradition) – every Christmas I want to spend it with the troops,” he said.

During the visit, Brawner personally engaged with the troops, commending their steadfast dedication and sacrifices, especially those deployed during the holiday season.

He emphasized the AFP’s commitment to uplifting morale and prioritizing the welfare of its personnel.

Brawner’s tradition began last year, when he spent the holidays with the sailors and marines stationed at the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. The World War II-era ship was deliberately grounded in the shoal in 1999 to uphold the country’s sovereignty over the area amid China’s claims.

“Last year, pumunta ako sa BRP Sierra Madre. It was a very humbling experience dahil napakahirap ng condition ng mga sundalo natin doon (Last year, I went to BRP Sierra Madre. It was a very humbling experience because the condition of our troops is very difficult),” he recalled.

“Imagine nandoon ka sa gitna ng dagat all around makikita mo dagat as far as your eyes can see. Aside from that, every now and then may makikita kang Chinese Coast Guard, Chinese militia so aside from the loneliness na nararamdaman ng mga sundalo doon, there’s also that fear [factor]. Syempre hndi naman friendly forces ‘yung mga nandoon (Imagine you are in the middle of the sea and all around you can see is water as far as your eyes can see. Aside from that, every now and then you’ll see Chinese Coast Guard, Chinese militia so aside from the loneliness being felt by our soldiers, there’s also that fear [factor]),” he continued.

This year, Brawner decided to visit the Fort Magsaysay, the largest military reservation in the country, to check on the morale of the troops amid what he described as “political noise”.

“I saw for myself na ‘yung mga sundalo natin (our soldiers), despite the political noise that’s happening now, hindi sila apektado (they are not affected),” the military chief said.

“They’re very professional, they’re very competent and I’m very happy to report that the AFP organization is solid,” he added.

In 2025, Brawner assured the public that the AFP will continue to perform its mandate of protecting the people and securing the land.

“We vow to continue to be professional and competent so we can bring stability to our country,” he said.