Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete on Tuesday, July 21, vowed to further strengthen the country's territorial defense, accelerate military modernization, and invest more in soldiers as he assumed leadership of the country's 160,000-strong military.

Speaking during the AFP change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Nafarrete said the military is entering a critical phase as it shifts from years of internal security operations toward a stronger external defense posture.

“Today the Armed Forces of the Philippines stand at a pivotal point in its transformation. Under my lead, the AFP's foremost imperative is to strengthen territorial defense and further operationalize the Comprehensive Archipelagic Concept (CADC),” he said, referring to the military’s national defense strategy that shifts the AFP from primarily focusing on internal security to defending the country's entire archipelago, including its land, airspace, territorial waters, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and cyber and information domains.

“The defense of Philippine territory, sovereignty, sovereign rights, and national interests shall remain our primary responsibility,” he added.

Nafarrete succeeded Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., who became the first AFP chief to complete the fixed three-year term under Republic Act No. 11939. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the turnover ceremony and retirement honors at Camp Aguinaldo.

The law, enacted in 2023, fixed the term of the AFP chief of staff at three years to ensure continuity in military policies and modernization programs.

Nafarrete said the military would continue pursuing peace but stressed that diplomacy should be backed by a capable armed force.

“We seek peace. We support dialogue. We respect international law. But our desire for peace must always be supported by credible capability, sustained readiness, and the resolve to defend what rightfully belongs to the Filipino people,” he said.

The AFP continues to expand its presence in the West Philippine Sea amid persistent tensions with China. On Monday, Chinese forces struck a Filipino sailor stationed aboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal during a violent confrontation.

Further, Nafarrete also identified stronger defense ties with allies as one of his priorities.

“We shall further expand our unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral exercises and defense engagements as integral components of Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense preparations guided by the country's national interests,” he said.

The military has significantly increased joint exercises with allies under Brawner's leadership as the Marcos administration pushed for stronger defense cooperation with like-minded nations.

Nafarrete also committed to preserving gains against insurgency and terrorism while supporting ongoing peace efforts.

“We shall not allow these hard gains to be reversed," he said. “We shall also continue supporting the implementation of existing peace agreements, the normalization process, and the transformation of former conflict-affected communities.”

On modernization, Nafarrete said acquiring new weapons alone would not make the military stronger.

“Modernization is the development of an integrated capability. Every platform must have trained personnel. Every system must have clear doctrine. Every capability must be supported by effective organization, resilient facilities, reliable logistics, proper maintenance, and long-term sustainment,” he said.

“Our true strength does not only lie in the weapons we wield, the equipment we acquire, or the technology we adopt. Our true strength lies in our personnel,” he added.

“For this reason, human capital development shall be at the center of AFP modernization. We shall invest not only in what we fight with but also in who serves, who leads, who operates, and who sustains our force,” he continued.

A full-blooded Scout Ranger from the Philippine Military Academy "Bigkis-Lahi" Class of 1990, Nafarrete has spent much of his military career in combat operations across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

He previously served as commander of the Western Mindanao Command, the 6th Infantry Division, the 1st Infantry Division, and the Philippine Army before his appointment as AFP chief.

Nafarrete also pledged that the AFP would remain professional and faithful to the Constitution.

“Your Armed Forces shall remain professional, disciplined, non-partisan, and faithful to the Constitution. We shall respect civilian authority. We shall uphold human rights and international humanitarian law,” he said.

He vowed to lead with “integrity, humility, accountability, and a clear sense of purpose.”

Brawner, meanwhile, urged his successor to continue building a stronger military as he ended his active military service after more than 41 years.

“I offer my prayers and my full support. You inherit an Armed Forces that is stronger because of its people. Take care of them. Continue to build on what has already been started. Continue preparing the AFP for the challenges of tomorrow,” Brawner, a member of PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989, said.

He stressed that the AFP's greatest asset remains the trust of the Filipino people.

“Continue earning the trust and confidence of the Filipino people every single day because that trust remains our greatest strength,” he said.

Looking back on his tenure, Brawner said the AFP successfully balanced internal security operations while preparing for territorial defense.

“When I assumed command in July 2023, the Armed Forces was entering an important period of transition. We had to preserve the gains we had achieved in internal security while preparing ourselves for the growing demands of territorial defense,” he said.

“We had to modernize our capabilities, strengthen our alliances, invest in our people, and prepare for a future that would look very different from our past.”

During the ceremony, President Marcos conferred on Brawner the Philippine Legion of Honor with the Degree of Chief Commander, recognizing his leadership in strengthening territorial defense, advancing military modernization, expanding defense partnerships, and launching the AFP's "MULAT" communication campaign on the West Philippine Sea.

“I leave this office with gratitude, with humility, and with complete confidence that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue to grow stronger, remain faithful to its mission, and always serve our nation with honor,” Brawner concluded.