Philippines taps combat veteran to lead armed forces amid regional tensions

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The Philippines appointed Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete, a combat veteran, as the new armed forces head amid ongoing maritime tensions with China and internal conflicts in Mindanao. This reflects continuity in security policy ahead of sensitive elections in the southern region.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has appointed army chief Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete as the next head of the armed forces, placing a veteran of the country’s internal conflicts in charge before a sensitive election in the Muslim south and amid continued maritime tensions with China. The choice points to continuity in security policy and puts the Armed Forces of the Philippines under an officer whose career has been closely tied to Mindanao, which is preparing for its first...