Sea aggression confronts new Ilonggo AFP boss

By Alex P. Vidal

“What would you have? Your gentleness shall force more than your force moves us to gentleness.” –  William Shakespeare, As You Like It

WE congratulate Lieutenant General Antonio Gustilo Nafarette of Calinog, Iloilo for being appointed as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Another pure-blooded Ilonggo in the country’s highest military echelon. Another challenge to protect the country and keep it safe from internal and external enemies, more particularly Beijing.

As the new commander of the Philippine military, Nafarette, 57, will be responsible for enforcing the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, a responsibility left by the retired former AFP boss, General Romeo S. Brawner Jr.

Nafarette’s appointment came days after the latest major conflict in the West Philippine Sea at the Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), where a member of the Philippine Navy sustained serious injuries after being aggressively struck on the head with a wooden baton by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG).

The CCG also reportedly rammed and damaged a Philippine navy rubber boat during a resupply mission to the grounded warship, the BRP Sierra Madre.

China’s maritime forces claimed they took “control measures” against Philippine vessels for entering contested waters.

The CCG accused the Philippine military of maliciously initiating the attack, arguing that Philippine personnel rapidly approached and encircled a Chinese patrol boat, prompting an escalatory response.

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This latest standoff has drawn swift condemnations from defense officials in the Philippines and their international allies. The United States criticized the “dangerous and reckless” actions of the Chinese Coast Guard.

This latest flare-up occurs just as Southeast Asian foreign ministers, alongside Chinese diplomats, gathered in Manila for regional security discussions.

Nafarette will now direct operational strategies, sustain credible troop presence at outposts like Ayungin Shoal, and counter political, cyber, and informational threats.

Nafarette’s specific responsibilities include:

-directing the Western Command (WESCOM) and the Philippine Navy to conduct regular maritime, sovereignty, and resupply missions;

-enhancing maritime domain awareness and upgrading the basing support systems on Philippine-held islands.

-coordinating closely with the Philippine Coast Guard to protect local fisherfolk and secure national interests; and

-preparing forces for non-kinetic battles, which include political, cyber, and information warfare.

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(Sadtong ika-20 sang Nobyembre, 2025, si retired Ambassador Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr., abogado kag katapû sang Sumakwelan, Iloilo, Inc, nagbalhin sang diutay para sa Poetika, 28 Nob, sa Magnet Café, Dumangas.)

MAGHALONG KITA SA MGA BAGIS

I

Sang magulang nga bagis,

Ang iya manghod, kag ang iya nga misis,

Sa sugilanon nga kuno naga-druga,

Iya makahas nga ginpiripis,

Samtang siya hilaw, nga nagabungisngis,

Aton bala nga patihon, ining magulang nga bagis?

Nga, maathag masat-uman, nga latum sa unod kag ugat, ang pagkamabangis?

II

Ukon, sa sini nga tion,

Pagamaayuhon,

NGA MAGHALONG KITA SA MGA BAGIS,

Kag aton lang anay SILA, pabay-an nga magkinaalutay,

Sang ila nagalukmat, nga sa pulitika, arikis,

Ukon, labing maayo, nga aton anay nga  pasulabihon, kag hunâ-hunâon, nga kon mag-upas na ganî, ang mga gabunan, nga bagis,

KON SA TUNGÂ SINI MADAKPAN, Mangin, Makalulu-oy lang ang mga agihis!

MGA KAUTORAN, PAHANUMDOM,

MAGHALONG KITA SA MGA BAGIS!!

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)