A man of grit and heart.

That is how many people describe Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete, the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Born on 22 February 1969, Nafarrete is a proud Ilonggo. His father is a lawyer, while his mother is a teacher. He is the youngest of six siblings.

In an interview, Nafarrete revealed that his journey to the military began when a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) pamphlet caught his attention during a college career orientation.

The now AFP chief graduated from the PMA as a member of the Bigkis-Lahi Class of 1990 on 18 February 1990.

After graduation, Nafarrete was assigned as a platoon leader in the 10th Infantry Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division in Zamboanga del Sur.

According to his Philippine Army profile, the AFP chief is described as a "full-blooded" Scout Ranger, having been deployed across the country, an experience that further honed his skills and expertise.

His training as a Scout Ranger later bore fruit when the First Scout Ranger Regiment was revived in 1991. He was among the pioneering organizers of the 1st Scout Ranger Company under the 1st Infantry Division.

As he advanced in his career, Nafarrete was appointed commander of the 6th Scout Ranger Company in 1996.

From 1997 to 1999, he served as Intelligence and Operations Officer of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion and Intelligence Officer of the First Scout Ranger Regiment. He was later assigned to the AFP Joint Special Operations Group from 2003 to 2007 before commanding the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion in the Visayas from 2008 to 2010.

Another highlight of his career came when he was selected to join the Presidential Security Group (PSG), serving first as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and later as Chief of Staff during the Aquino administration.

At the peak of his military career, Nafarrete was appointed the 67th Commanding General of the Philippine Army on 31 July 2025. In this role, he underscored the importance of modernizing the Philippine Army while prioritizing the welfare and morale of soldiers. He also introduced his five-point command guidance, which focused on personnel development, morale, health, education, and financial literacy.