The Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ARRAPI) has welcomed the appointment of Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), citing his longstanding support for the nation's reserve forces.

Nafarrete was installed Tuesday as the 61st AFP chief.

"Gen. Nafarrete is the quiet champion of the reservist movement," ARRAPI said in a statement following his installation.

Led by chairperson Brig. Gen. Michael Romero (Res.) and president Col. Vladimir Mata (Res.), the association praised Nafarrete for promoting the welfare and professional development of reservists nationwide.

Boxing icon Col. Manny Pacquiao (Res.), a member of the ARRAPI board, also offered his congratulations.

The ARRAPI board pledged its full support to Nafarrete, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1990. He previously assumed command of the Philippine Army on 31 July 2025, after serving as commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

Under Nafarrete's leadership, reservists have gained expanded opportunities to participate in training, professional development and operational activities alongside active-duty personnel.

ARRAPI also pointed to his backing of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and the Total Defense Force Concept.

In a landmark decision during his Army tenure, Nafarrete awarded the Philippine Army Aviation Badge to a reservist for the first time in the service's history—a move ARRAPI said demonstrated his commitment to equal recognition for qualified reserve personnel.

"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.

ARRAPI cited that the AFP is positioned to better integrate the country’s roughly 180,000 active-duty personnel with more than 1 million ready and standby reservists into a unified defense force.