$解:如图,作CN⊥BG于点N,$
$∴∠CNP=90°,$
$∴∠PCN+∠CPN= 90°.$
$∵∠APC=90°,$
$∴∠APB+∠CPN=90°,$
$∴∠PCN=∠APB.$
$在△ABP和△PNC中,$
$\begin{cases}{\ ∠B=∠PNC=90°,}\ \\ { ∠APB=∠PCN, } \\{AP=PC,}\end{cases}\ $
$\ ∴ △ABP≌△PNC,$
$∴PB=CN,PN=AB=8.$
$∵∠CNP=∠B=∠CFB=90°,$
$∴四边形BFCN是矩形,$
$∴CN=BF,CF=BN,$
$∴PB=BF.$
$∵△AEP≌△CEP,$
$∴EC=EA,$
$∴△AEF的周长=EA+EF+AF=EC+EF+AF=CF+AF=BN+AF=(8+PB)+(8-BF)=16.$