Regional leaders cite Gumiran and Nafarrete’s record in peacebuilding and counterterrorism efforts
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Government officials and peace advocates in Mindanao have expressed strong support for the appointments of Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran as Commanding General of the Philippine Army, citing their proven leadership in advancing peace and security across the region.
The appointments took effect Tuesday, July 21, following the announcement by Department of National Defense spokesperson and Assistant Defense Secretary Arsenio Andolong. Nafarrete succeeded Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. as AFP chief, while Gumiran assumed command of the Philippine Army after serving as chief of the Western Mindanao Command.
The two generals share a common history as former commanders of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) in Maguindanao del Norte, where they led military campaigns against armed groups while supporting the government’s peace initiatives in Central Mindanao.
During Gumiran’s stint at the 6ID, military units worked closely with local governments, traditional Moro leaders and peace stakeholders, leading to the surrender of more than 1,300 former members of the now-defunct Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist network. The former combatants were later reintegrated into society through programs implemented by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), national agencies and local governments.
Nafarrete, meanwhile, was credited for helping institutionalize the Small Arms and Light Weapons Management Program, a disarmament initiative under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) aimed at reducing the proliferation of loose firearms and supporting the Mindanao peace process.
South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council in Region 12, said both officers demonstrated effective leadership during their assignments in Central Mindanao, particularly in encouraging the peaceful surrender of former extremists and strengthening cooperation between the military and local communities.
Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza likewise welcomed the appointments, thanking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for selecting two seasoned officers with extensive field experience in Mindanao.
She said the province would continue supporting the peacebuilding programs that both military leaders have championed over the years.
Maguindanao del Norte Vice Gov. Marshall Sinsuat also expressed confidence in the new military leadership, saying the provincial board is considering adopting a resolution formally conveying its support for both Nafarrete and Gumiran.
BARMM Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr. praised the two generals for their close coordination with the regional government in expanding healthcare and community assistance programs for former rebels and residents of conflict-affected areas, describing their leadership as instrumental in promoting lasting peace and stability in Mindanao.
ia/xf
