President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has appointed Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), replacing General Romeo Brawner Jr., who is set to retire after a three-year term under Republic Act No.11939.

This appointment marks a significant shift in the AFP's focus from internal security to external defense, aligning with the National Security Policy formalized in 2023.Nafarrete, currently the chief of the Philippine Army, will lead the AFP until July 2029 unless removed by Marcos or the next president.RA 11939 allows AFP chiefs to remain in their posts beyond the mandatory retirement age of 57.The transition involves modernizing the Navy and Air Force for maritime defense while reorienting the Army toward external security tasks.Nafarrete's leadership comes as the AFP continues to adapt its strategies amid evolving regional security challenges.