The 51st Engineer Brigade (51EBde) welcomed Col. Antonio C. Rota Jr. as its new commander in a Change of Command Ceremony on January 23, 2023 at Camp Gen. Rigoberto J. Atienza, Libis, Quezon City.
Army Vice Commander Brig. Gen. Steve D. Crespillo presided over the ceremony where Outgoing Acting Commander Col. Jose Eduardo F. Liboon relinquished the post to Incoming Commander Col. Rota.
Col. Rota, commissioned in 1991 through RA 2334, served as the Chief of the Office of the Army Chief of Engineers prior to his new designation. He was assigned to various Army engineer units where he held key positions such as the Chief of Staff and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the 54th Engineer Brigade, Commanding Officer of the 547th Engineer Combat Battalion, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations of the 52nd Engineer Brigade.
On the other hand, Col. Liboon served as the 51EBde Deputy before he was designated as its acting commander. He also held leadership positions in the 53rd Engineer Brigade, 3rd Infantry Battalion, and 52nd Engineer Brigade. Col. Liboon is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Bantay-Laya" Class of 1994.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Crespillo joined the unit in welcoming their new commander and extended his well wishes to the outgoing commander. He also commended the unit's efforts to uplift the well-being of the soldiers and attain peace and progress in Luzon.
Photos by Pvt Divino Lozano PA/OACPA