The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday announced the appointment of Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete as the incoming chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Nafarrete will formally assume the post during a change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo later in the day. He will replace Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the 60th AFP chief of staff, who is set to complete his fixed three-year term.

Following Nafarrete’s appointment, Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran will take over as commanding general of the Philippine Army. Gumiran currently serves as commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. earlier said the next AFP chief must not only demonstrate courage but also sustain the quality of service shown by Brawner, who has been recognized for his strategic leadership, alliance-building with foreign partners, and efforts to transition the military’s focus from internal security to external defense.

Initial information from the defense department said Nafarrete is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990.

Prior to his designation as Army chief, he served as commander of the Western Mindanao Command, a key military unit involved in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in Mindanao, as well as in advancing the country’s external defense posture in the southern Philippines.

Nafarrete also held leadership roles in the 110th Infantry Brigade and the 11th Infantry Division, and was involved in various AFP operational commands.