FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - The Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., installed a new commander for the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) in a Change of Command Ceremony on May 11, 2022 at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
Incoming SFR(A) Commander Col. Ferdinand B. Napuli, previously designated as deputy commander of the Presidential Security Group, received the SFR(A) command symbol from CGPA as he took the helm of the regiment from outgoing acting regiment commander, Col. Eliglen F. Villaflor. Both men are members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Tanglaw Diwa" Class of 1992.
A member of Special Forces Operations Course Class 70, Col. Napuli held key positions related to military operations, intelligence, and civil-military operations. Col. Napuli served as commander of 19th Special Forces Company and eventually became the commanding officer of 3rd Special Forces Battalion from 2009 to 2012. He also served as the Commandant of Special Forces School in 2014.
He is also well experienced in education and training after holding key posts at the PMA and Combat Arms School of the Philippine Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. Col. Napuli holds a Master in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines and a Master in Public Management from the University of the Philippines. He also holds a Postgraduate Degree in Arts from New Zealand’s Massey University.
Meanwhile, Col. Villaflor will return to his earlier post as deputy regiment commander. Col. Villaflor instituted key projects geared at making SFR(A) more relevant and responsive to the fast-changing security landscape of the country. He spearheaded the creation of the first Filipino-designed parachute, the Philippine Army Maneuverable Canopy "Haribon" and the enhancement of the regiment’s riverine capability through the procurement of platforms and scuba equipment. The regiment, under his leadership, also conducted combined bilateral training activities such as the annual Salaknib with the U.S. Army Pacific in March 2022 and Kasangga with the Australian Defense Force last month.
"I am grateful to Col. Villaflor, for his sterling leadership while looking over the morale and welfare of the paratroopers. "This right blend of courage and determination we also see in Col. Napuli," Lt. Gen. Brawner, said. The Army Chief likewise called on SFR(A) troopers to remain steadfast in their mission to serve the people and secure the land.#
Photos: Pfc Rodgen V Quirante PA/ OACPA