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CA confirms AFP chief Nafarrete, 37 other officers
The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed Thursday the appointments and nomination of Armed Forces chief General Antonio Nafarrete and 37 other generals, flag and senior officers.
The bicameral body’s Committee on National Defense had earlier deliberated on the appointments and recommended their approval before the matter was brought to the plenary.
Butuan City lone district Representative Jose “Joboy” Aquino II, chairperson of the CA Committee on National Defense, sponsored the 37 ad interim appointments and one nomination, saying the officers were qualified to assume greater responsibilities.
“We harbor no doubts regarding integrity and capacity of these 38 candidates. It is time we grant them the elevated status they have so justly earned,” Aquino said.
Aquino particularly cited Nafarrete’s previous leadership as commanding general of the Philippine Army and commander of the Western Mindanao Command, as well as his efforts to integrate drone technology into the AFP’s defense doctrine.
During his confirmation hearing, Nafarrete said the AFP has begun testing drone systems and plans to eventually integrate separate unmanned-system initiatives being developed by General Headquarters and the military’s major services.
He identified unmanned systems, communications and joint command-and-control among the capabilities that need to be strengthened to improve the AFP’s maritime domain awareness under its Archipelagic Defense Concept.
Nafarrete also assured the lawmakers that the AFP would continue safeguarding the country’s security interests, including areas beyond the Philippines’ maritime jurisdiction, amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Senator JV Ejercito also expressed support for Nafarrete’s confirmation, citing the general’s more than three decades of military service, including his leadership of the 6th Infantry Division and 1st Infantry Division.
Ejercito, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said Congress would continue supporting the AFP Modernization Program as the country strengthens its defense capabilities.
“Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines must also be given the equipment, capabilities, training, and resources they need to fulfill their sworn oath to defend our country effectively,” Ejercito said.
He said modernization efforts should be sustained while ensuring that public funds allocated to the military are used responsibly and effectively.
Ejercito also assured the AFP that the Senate would remain a partner in building a “credible, capable, and modern defense posture” as the military protects the country’s sovereignty and territory.
Aquino said Nafarrete’s modernization thrust, along with his leadership philosophy that “every soldier matters,” gave the committee confidence in the AFP’s direction under his leadership.
The 38 AFP officers confirmed by the CA
1. Antonio G. Nafarrete — General, Chief of Staff of the AFP
2. Thad Rufino P. Candelario — Lieutenant General
3. Phillip G. Alvarez Jr. — Brigadier General
4. Edwin B. Princillo — Commodore
5. Moises L. Micor — Major General
6. Elmer G. Toriado — Commodore
7. Emilio G. Oria Jr. — Rear Admiral
8. Michael Odylon L. Romero — Brigadier General (Reserve)
9. Gilberto T. Esteban Jr. — Brigadier General
10. Frederick A. Ancheta — Brigadier General
11. Rolando V. Noto — Colonel, Philippine Army (Reserve)
12. Monotano B. Almodovar — Brigadier General
13. Vladimir T. Mata — Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marine Corps (Reserve)
14. Donald G. Romquillo — Captain, Philippine Navy (Reserve)
15. Divina Grace C. Yu — Colonel, Philippine Army (Reserve)
16. Floreto I. Solano — Colonel, Philippine Air Force (Reserve)
17. Romae D. De Asis — Colonel, Philippine Army (Reserve)
18. Victor M. Llapitan — Brigadier General
19. Ronaldo V. Juan — Major General
20. Alex B. Ton — Colonel, Philippine Army (Reserve)
21. Marion T. Angcao — Major General
22. Carlos R. Ruiz III — Commodore
23. Ramilo B. Trinidad — Commodore
24. Paul G. Fudotian — Colonel, Philippine Air Force (Reserve)
25. Benjamin L. Leander — Brigadier General
26. Francis Anthony M. Coronel — Lieutenant General
27. Ferdinand Rey G. Ga — Brigadier General
28. Alfredo G. Antonio Jr. — Brigadier General
29. Eric D. Guevarra — Brigadier General
30. Jim P. Razo — Commodore
31. Bernardo A. Taqueban — Brigadier General
32. William George S. Cordova — Brigadier General
33. Norsal D. Dimaporo — Commodore
34. Manual Darius M. Resuello — Brigadier General
35. Edwin M. Nera — Rear Admiral
36. Gieram R. Aragones — Major General
37. Jessie R. Montoya — Brigadier General
38. Prudencio A. Iddoba — Major General
— RSJ, GMA News
