FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — Major General Ferdinand B. Napuli was given the post as commander of the Special Operations Command (SOCom) during a turnover ceremony here Wednesday.

The turnover ceremony was presided over by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., as the AFP installs Napuli as the commander of SOCom. Napuli is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992.

Prior to his appointment, he served as the Inspector General of the Philippine Army and previously commanded the elite Special Forces Regiment (Airborne).

He also holds a Master’s Degree in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines and Public Management from the University of the Philippines.

Napuli succeeded Brigadier General Patrick de Villa, who served in an acting capacity. SOCom Chief of Staff Colonel Vladimir Lenos T. Villanueva represented De Villa during the ceremony. De Villa is now designated as SOCom’s Deputy Commander.

In his message, AFP Chief of Staff General Brawner expressed confidence in the continued excellence of SOCom under MGen Napuli’s leadership.

“I am confident that SOCom will continue to be at the tip of the spear in defending our people, protecting our sovereignty, and confronting threats with speed and silent precision,” Brawner said.

He emphasized that while the ceremony marks a transition in leadership, it also symbolizes enduring commitment and operational continuity.