Romeo Brawner Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Birth name | Romeo Saturnino Brawner, Jr. |
| Born | (1968-03-18)March 18, 1968 (age 57) Baguio, Philippines |
| Allegiance |  Philippines |
| Branch |  Philippine Army |
| Years of service | 1989–present |
| Rank |  General |
| Service number | O-10052 |
| Commands | Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commanding General of the Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division Deputy Chief of Staff for Financial Management, J10 Commandant of Cadets 103rd Infantry Brigade Army Civil-Military Operations Regiment Chief of Public Affairs, AFP 2nd Special Forces Battalion 6th Special Forces Company |
| Battles / wars | Communist armed conflicts in the Philippines Moro conflict Siege of Marawi |
| Alma mater | Philippine Military Academy (BS) Ateneo de Manila University (MIM) Asian Institute of Technology (MBA) Oxford University (MBA) United States Army War College (MSS) |
| Spouse | Melody Valeros |
| Children | 3 |
| Relations | Romeo Brawner Sr. (father) Felix Brawner Jr. (uncle) Teddy Baguilat (cousin)[1] |
Romeo Saturnino Brawner Jr. (born March 18, 1968) is aPhilippine Army general who has served as the 60thChief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines since July 21, 2023.[2] Prior to his appointment to the post, Brawner previously served as the 64thCommanding General of the Philippine Army.[3]
Born and raised from a military family with American roots, Brawner graduated fromPhilippine Military Academy (PMA) "Makatao" Class of 1989, and has been primarily deployed in special operations and infantry units, such as the 2nd Special Forces Battalion and the 103rd Infantry Brigade. Brawner was also known for his role as spokesperson and deputy commander of Task Force Ranao during theSiege of Marawi and for his campaign against hazing during his term as Commandant of Cadets in the PMA. Brawner was also appointed as the first Deputy Chief of Staff for Financial Management, J10, before being named as the commander of the4th Infantry Division.[4][5]
Brawner was born inBaguio to Lenora Fe (née Saturnino) andRomeo A. Brawner, Sr., the brother of former Brigadier GeneralFelix A. Brawner Jr. Brawner's military roots came from his grandfather, Private Lisbon Brawner, anAfrican-American soldier who served from theUnited States Army, and was part of theBuffalo Soldiers who was deployed to the country and served during thePhilippine–American War.[6][7][8]
Brawner finished high school at theUniversity of the Philippines Baguio and served under the UP Vanguard ROTC before entering thePhilippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1985 and graduating from the PMA as part of the Makatao Class of 1989, earning his commission as an army second lieutenant.[9] Brawner also holds a Masters inInformation Management fromAteneo de Manila University, a Masters inBusiness Administration from theAsian Institute of Technology, and subsequently from the European School of Management inOxford University, and a Masters inStrategic Studies from theUnited States Army War College.[10][11] Brawner also topped his class after completing the Intelligence Officer Course, the Special Forces Operations Course, and the AFP Comptrollership Course, as well completing the Advance Security Cooperation Course, located at theAsia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii.[12] In 2011, Brawner served as the Philippine Army representative during the United States Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on Foreign Policy, as well as during the IVLP on Cyber Security in 2013.[12]
As a junior officer, Brawner participated in military operations against thecommunist insurgents andMuslim separatists and terrorists in the Philippines. Throughout his career, Brawner served primarily in both infantry and special operations, before being placed in staff positions.
Brawner was named Company Commander of the 6th Special Forces Company was named as Battalion Commander of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, before being an Operations Officer under theSpecial Forces Regiment (Airborne). Brawner also served as the Chief of Staff of the6th Infantry Division, and was also named Chief of Public Affairs of the AFP, before serving as the AFP Spokesperson. Brawner eventually became commander of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment of the Philippine Army.[12][4]
During theSiege of Marawi in 2017, Brawner subsequently served as spokesperson and deputy commander of Task Force Ranao, and served as one of the key commanders during the 5-month long battle.[13][14] Brawner would be later conferred a Commendation Medal and Ribbon for his role.[15] The following year, in 2018, Brawner took command of the 103rd Infantry Brigade under the1st Infantry Division, and was tasked to root out the remnants of theIslamic State-associated militant terrorist organizationMaute Group and its allies within Western Mindanao, including the death of Owayda Marohombsar, also known as Abu Dar, and was the successor ofIsnilon Hapilon as the head of the Islamic State-linked terrorists, and the last remaining leader who escaped the Battle of Marawi and was neutralized after follow-up operations.[16][17][18] Due to his accomplishment, Brawner was awarded theOrder of Lapu-Lapu by PresidentRodrigo Duterte.[12] Brawner was also tasked to monitor the2019 Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite elections and also led efforts for theRehabilitation of Marawi.[4] In the aftermath of theDeath of Darwin Dormitorio due to hazing, Brawner was named the acting-Commandant of Cadets of thePhilippine Military Academy in 2019, along with Rear Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi as its superintendent officer-in-charge, following the resignation of their predecessors, then-Brigadier GeneralBartolome Vicente Bacarro as Commandant of Cadets, and Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista as PMA Superintendent due to command responsibility. Brawner later served his term in full capacity as Commandant of Cadets.[19]
In December 2020, Brawner was named as the first Deputy Chief of Staff for Financial Management, J10 after its foundation on 5 November 2020, which is in charge of the AFP's financial control, budgeting, and fiscal management, upon the approval of theChief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.[9] On July 1, 2021, Brawner was named commander of the4th Infantry Division, in charge withcounterinsurgency operations inNorthern Mindanao andCaraga regions. During his tenure as division commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Brawner finalized and oversaw a military operation under his supervision that led to the death of communist insurgent leader Jorge Madlos on October 31, 2021, in the outskirts ofImpasugong, Bukidnon. Madlos, commonly known as Ka Oris, was the spokesperson of theNew People's Army National Operational Command and theNational Democratic Front.[13]
Brawner was appointed the 64th Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA) by PresidentRodrigo Duterte on December 7, 2021, and was eventually promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General on 27 December 2021.[13][12] During his term as the CGPA, Brawner initiated reforms under his leadership thrust, known as "SERVE" thrust, which stands for Soldier, Enhance, Resources, Victorious and Elections, and is aimed at strengthening the soldier's well-being and mental health, enhancement and modernization, resource management, attaining victory against theCPP-NPA-NDF, and securing the country amidst the2022 Philippine general elections.[20] Then-Lieutenant General Brawner also supervised operations against theCPP-NPA-NDF, theAbu Sayyaf and other connected Islamist groups, and various private armed groups.[21] Brawner also spearheaded the modernization of the Army through the procurement of various weapons and equipment such as theATMOS 2000 self propelled howitzers, theSabrah light tank, and various UAVs amongst other weapons, equipment and vehicles. Brawner also launched initiatives aimed at enhancing the personnel's mental health, and expanded benefits ofCitizen Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGU).[22][23]
On July 21, 2023, Brawner was appointed as the 60thChief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and replaced GeneralAndres Centino, who was named as the Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea.[4] During his assumption speech, Brawner emphasized his command thrust to the acronym "UNITY", similar to the command thrust made by Lieutenant GeneralBartolome Vicente Bacarro. UNITY stand for Unification, Normalization, Internal Security Operations, Territorial Defense, and Youth, which is aimed at strengthening a unified organization, the normalization process of theBangsamoro Region, intensified operations against insurgency and terrorism, preparedness against external threats, and youth development, including the potential revival of theReserve Officers' Training Corps.[24] In October 2023, Brawner laid out plans to upgrade the AFP Cyber Group to a command-style organization named the AFP Cyber Command, which is aimed to expand the AFP Cyber Group's cybersecurity operations and further defend the AFP's cyber networks by enlisting more personnel and procuring additional equipment for cyber defense. The AFP Cyber Group was later upgraded to become the AFP Cyber Command on late 2024.[25] Brawner also emphasized the Cyber Group's importance in the modern battlefield due to the rise of both technological threats and cyber soldiers, and is also looking on theDigital and Intelligence Service of theSingapore Armed Forces as a potential model for the expansion of the Cyber Group.[26]
In August 2024, Brawner Jr., became aPhilippine Navyspecial forces 'Seal' honorary member after training at theNaval Special Operations Command for SEAL Qualification.[27] In September 2024, Brawner expressed his desire to continually sustain the deployment of the US-madeTyphon missile launcher in the country, citing the system's capabilities for external defense operations.[28] Brawner also mentioned in August 2024 the AFP's plans to procure the Typhon missile system.[29]
With the aim of further strengthening the AFP's shift from internal defense operation to an effective external defense posture, Brawner, alongside theDefense Department, led the creation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, a defense concept that aims to boost country's inter-island defense strategy while aiming to secure the country's sea lanes, external territorial waters including the country's exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and other potential foreign threats. The concept also allow the AFP to be more adaptable towards intensifying inter-domain threats while applying the potential lessons learned from theRussian invasion of Ukraine while revitalizing the military's modernization program to fast track the procurement of modern weapons, equipment, and assets to counter evolving security threats within the modern battlefield.[30][31][32][33][34] On the AFP's 89th Founding Anniversary held on 21 December 2024, Brawner also announced the introduction of the Tatag Kapuluan campaign plan, which serves as the AFP's campaign plan in aiming expand the AFP's holistic and harmonized approach towards defending the country's external borders and sovereignty.[35]
Brawner also initiated the creation and upgrading of various military commands which is aimed to boost the AFP's preparedness against newer and more complex threats, while enhancing the AFP's capabilities in joint operations, such as the creation of the AFP Intelligence Command on 21 August 2024, which is aimed to strengthen and harmonize the AFP's intelligence operations;[36] theAFP Joint Special Operations Command on 28 May 2025, which unifies and enhances the AFP's special operations units;[37] the AFP Joint Sustainment Command on 22 September 2025, which is tasked to manage the AFP's logistical units, equipment, and support systems;[38] and the AFP Civil-Military Operations Command on 13 November 2025,[39] which is made to expand the AFP's civil-military engagements with other various sectors and to combat both fake news and misinformation.[40] On 18 January 2024, Brawner also reactivated theAFP Counterintelligence Group, which is aimed to counter potential counterintelligence and espionage operations, as well as to counter potential classified military information leakages within the country.[41][42][43] Brawner also led the reactivation of theNational Capital Regional Command on 28 February 2025, and the creation of the AFP Stratagic Command on 27 October 2025 and currently serves as the AFP's strategic operations command responsible for monitoring intelligence, military operations, and civil-military functions, and is also aimed to boost the AFP's interoperability and synchronization, which includes synergizing joint exercises with both military units and with other allied partners.[44]
On the evening before theSeptember 21 anti-corruption rallies in Metro Manila, Brawner met with eight retired military officers from the United People's Initiative (UPI), led by former Air Force generalRomeo Poquiz, atCamp Aguinaldo after accepting their request letter to hold a meeting with him. In the meeting, Poquiz allegedly proposed for the military's removal of support for PresidentBongbong Marcos to solve the large-scalecorruption scandal involving flood control projects, with Brawner recounting their argument that "somebody else deserves to be president, but they did not mention who that is". Brawner ultimately refused their proposal, citing the military's loyalty to the Constitution.[45][46] Observers have described the proposal as a "soft coup",[46] but the UPI has claimed that it only proposed for Marcos' resignation, not his forced removal.[47][better source needed]
Kamagi Medal of theOrder of Lapu-Lapu
Commander of thePhilippine Legion of Honor[citation needed]
Outstanding Achievement Medal
Distinguished Service Star with four bronze anahaw leaves
Gold Cross Medal_Ribbon.png)
Silver Cross Medal with one bronze anahaw leaf
Meritorious Achievement Medal Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze anahaw leaves
Chief of Staff, AFP Commendation Medal with one bronze anahaw leaf
Gawad sa Kaunlaran Medal with one bronze anahaw leaf
Bronze Cross Medal
Silver Wing Medal with two bronze anahaw leaves
Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal Medal
Military Merit Medal with one bronze spearhead device and one gold anahaw leaf
Military Civic Action Medal with one silver and three bronze anahaw leaves
2 Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas Medals
Military Commendation Medal with four silver equilateral triangles
Long Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars
Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars
Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars
Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal with one bronze service star
Disaster Relief & Rehabilitation Operation Ribbon with two bronze service stars.svg)
(
) October 18, 2022: Honorary Courageous Commander ofThe Most Gallant Order of Military Service[48]
(
) March 2023: Commander of theLegion of Merit[citation needed]
Honorary Airborne Wings of theRoyal Thai Army[citation needed]
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
People Power I Unit Citation
People Power II Unit Citation
Martial Law Unit Citation_Badge.png){kind=icon}
Combat Commander's Kagitingan Badge
Army Aviator's Badge
PAF Gold Wings Badge
Special Forces Qualification BadgeBrawner is often known by his peers and friends as "Romy" and "Omet". Brawner is married to Melody Valeros and they have three children.[12] Former Congressman,Teddy Baguilat, is Brawner's first cousin.[49]
Brawner is also a column writer for thePhilippine Daily Inquirer since May 2025.[50]
{{cite news}}:|last1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link){{cite news}}:|last1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)SCMPRoblesSoftCoup was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).To oust a leader by force is illegal; to resign is a legal and personal option.
Media related toRomeo S. Brawner Jr. at Wikimedia Commons| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Gen.Andres Centino | Commanding General of the Philippine Army 2021–2023 | Succeeded by Lt. Gen.Roy Galido |
| Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 2023–present | Incumbent | |
| Preceded byasPresident of theUniversity of the Philippines | Order of Precedence of the Philippines asChief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines | Succeeded by Heads of permanentUnited Nations Agencies in the Philippines who hold the rank of Director |