'Ascending from Mindanao to Fort Bonifacio': Nafarrete lays out Army's priorities in first command conference
Philippine Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete outlines his command guidance for the troops during his first command conference at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on August 1, 2025. (Photo: PA)
Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, newly-installed commanding general of the Philippine Army (PA), bared his command guidance and strategic priorities during his first command conference at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on Friday, Aug. 1.
Nafarrete issued his marching order for the Army troops to stand steadfast in its mission to provide responsible, credible and capable forces to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) unified commands in support of the Campaign Plan “Tatag Kapuluan,” the military's campaign framework that aims to address both internal security threats and external defense challenges in a comprehensive and integrated manner.
He said that his leadership will be anchored on the principle “Our People is Our Strength”, emphasizing that the organization's greatest asset lies in its people, from the enlisted personnel in the field to the officers leading various commands.
“We will cultivate a resilient, adaptable, and highlight effective unit, ready to overcome any challenge and achieve every mission,” he said.
The Army chief outlined his strategic priorities in key areas such as training and development, personnel welfare and morale, merit-based advancement and equal opportunity, as well as discipline and accountability.
He said these priorities will be applied across various command functions including intelligence, operations, logistics, command and control, communications and cyber systems (C4S), civil-military operations, reservist affairs, and financial management.
The command conference was attended by Army office chiefs, specialized enablers and Army-wide service support and separate unit commanders.
Nafarrete was installed as the 67th Army chief on Thursday, July 31, leading the 110,000-strong PA after the retirement of Lt. Gen. Roy Galido.
Prior to this, he served as the commander of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command, which is responsible for the defense against communist insurgents and Islamic militants in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, and parts of Lanao del Norte.
He had also served as commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the military’s leading force provider in Central Mindanao. He also held various leadership posts in the 1101st Brigade, 11th Infantry Division; and the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, AFP.
Nafarrete is a graduate of the Philippine Military Acadmy (PMA) “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990.