The new AFP chief of staff, Gen. Antonio Nafarrete (right), stands as steadfast prime mover of a stronger unified reserve force with Brig. Gen. Michael “Mikee” Romero (Res.), ARRAP chairman. —Photo from ARRAP
MANILA, Philippines — Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has earned praise as a “quiet champion of the reservist movement” from the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines (ARRAP).
Nafarrete has consistently promoted the welfare and professional development of reservists throughout his military career, according to a statement issued by the association, which has reservists Brig. Gen. Mikee Romero as chairman and Col. Vladimir Mata as president.
The ARRAP board, which also includes reservist Col. Manny Pacquiao, congratulated Nafarrete for his appointment and pledged its full support.
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According to ARRAP, Nafarrete quietly opened new opportunities for reservists during his tenure as commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) and later as commanding general of the Philippine Army.
Under his leadership, reservists were given greater opportunities to participate in training, professional development, and operational activities alongside their regular force counterparts.
The association also highlighted Nafarrete’s support for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the Total Defense Force Concept, recognizing reservists as an indispensable component of the nation’s defense capability.
One of his landmark initiatives was awarding the Philippine Army Aviation Badge to a reservist for the first time in the Army’s history, an act that demonstrated his belief that reservists who meet the same standards of professionalism and competence deserve equal recognition and opportunities.
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“General 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.
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“He has been a quiet but steadfast champion of the reservist movement,” it added.
Nafarrete’s leadership, the AFP is well-positioned to strengthen the integration of the country’s approximately 180,000 active-duty personnel with its more than one million ready and standby reservists, the association went on.
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The association said this unified force embodies the spirit of the Total Defense Force Concept, ensuring that when the nation calls, both regular and reserve forces stand ready to defend the country as one AFP. /atm