Army Chief Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete paid tribute to the Artillery Regiment’s enduring legacy and continued role in national defense during the commemoration of the Philippine Artillery’s 128th anniversary on June 27, 2026, at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
The event, jointly celebrated with the Artillery Foundation of the Philippines Inc., honored generations of Philippine Artillery cannoneers who helped shape the legacy of the Artillery Regiment, widely known by its moniker, the “King of Battle.”
In his keynote address, Nafarrete described the Regiment’s more than century-long service as a “symbol of discipline, precision, and firepower.”
The Philippine Artillery marks its founding anniversary every June 23, commemorating the 1898 decree issued by General Emilio Aguinaldo that established the artillery as a principal component of the Philippine Revolutionary forces.
Nafarrete underscored the need to sustain modernization and readiness amid a rapidly evolving security environment, saying current threats require agility, competence, and the ability to act with precision and decisiveness.
He also challenged the Regiment to continue strengthening professional development and operational readiness.
Among the Regiment’s recent modernization and organizational gains are the provisional activation of the 1st Ground-Launched Missile Battalion, which enhances the Army’s capability to deter threats and defend national sovereignty, and the strengthening of its Light Deployable Battery Communication System.
“We will meet the challenges together. We will remain relentless in our pursuit of excellence. We will continue to invest in modernization, professional development, operational readiness, and innovation to ensure that the Philippine Artillery remains a highly capable, adaptive, and always mission-ready,” Nafarrete said.
“May you continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, honor, and service. May the next chapter of the Philippine Artillery’s distinguished history be defined by greater achievements, stronger capabilities, and an enduring commitment to safeguarding our people, securing our sovereignty, and serving the Filipino nation,” he added.