ARMED Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete (third from left) with ARRAPI officials (from left) Col. Flor Solano, Brig. Gen. Mikee Romero, and Col. Meliton Agpaoa. (ARRAPI)
New Armed Forces chief Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, a former commander of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City, was cited for his staunch support to the country’s reservists.
Among those who hailed his appointment was the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Inc.
“Gen. Nafarrete is the quiet champion of the reservist movement,” said ARRAPI in a statement Thursday.
ARRAPI, led by chairman Brig. Gen. Mikee Romero and president Col. Vladimir Mata, said Nafarrete consistently promoted the welfare and professional development of reservists in the country.
Col. Manny Pacquiao, a member of the ARRAPI board, also congratulated Nafarrete for his appointment.
ARRAPI vowed full support to Nafarrete, who the group described as well-loved and highly-respected for opening new opportunities for reservists during his tenure as Western Mindanao Command chief and Army commanding general.
They said under Nafarrete’s leadership, reservists received greater opportunities to participate in training, professional development, and operational activities alongside their regular force counterparts.
They thanked Nafarette for supporting the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the Total Defense Force Concept which recognized reservists as an indispensable component of the nation’s defense capability.
“Nafarrete has consistently shown through his actions that there should be no distinction between regular and reserve personnel when it comes to dedication, competence, and service to the nation,” the association said. “He has been a quiet but steadfast champion of the reservist movement.”