The Philippine Army installed Col. Maynard G. Camarao as the new commander of the 53rd Engineer “Visayas Builders” Brigade in a Change of Command Ceremony on February 26, 2023, at Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City.
Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., presided over the ceremony as Brig. Gen. Proceso S. Rebancos, who was designated as the AFP Chief Engineer last January 2023, relinquished his erstwhile position to the new commander.
Col. Camarao, prior to his new designation, served as the chief of the Office of the Chief Housing, Philippine Army (OCHPA). He held key command and staff positions throughout his career such as the chief of Investigation Branch, Office of the Inspector General, Philippine Army; Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3, of the 55th Engineer Brigade; and as commanding officer of the 524th Engineer Construction Battalion. He also served as Command Engineer of the National Development Support Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Col. Camarao, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Bantay-Laya" Class of 1994, is a licensed Civil Engineer and has earned his Master's Degree in Public Management Major in Development Security from the Development Academy of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Rebancos has led the 53rd EBde for nearly two years until his designation as the AFP Chief Engineer earlier this year. He led the Office of the Army Chief Engineer (OACE) for four months in 2021 where he played a pivotal role in the preparation of the detailed engineering and architectural plans for 40 Army facilities worth P425 million and the repair of Army facilities worth P1.7 million. He also served as the Office of the Army Internal Auditor (OAIA) Deputy and as the Command Engineer of the AFP Civil Relations Service. He likewise held key posts in the 51st and 52nd Engineer Brigades.
Just like his successor, Brig. Gen. Rebancos is part of PMA "Bantay Laya" Class of 1994. He is also a registered civil engineer who holds a BS Civil Engineering degree from Bicol University. He completed the Engineer Officer Advance Course, Command and General Staff Course, and Master in Public Management Major in Development Security.
“To Brig. Gen. Rebancos, we extend our appreciation for all your contributions to our force and to the communities you have served,” Lt. Gen. Brawner Jr. said in his keynote address.
“I am certain that Col. Camarao’s familiarity with his unit will ensure continuity and further advance the brigade’s accomplishments,” Lt. Gen. Brawner meanwhile said of the new 53rd EBde commander. The Army Chief also lauded Col. Camarao for his more than two-year exemplary leadership of OCHPA, adding that the breadth and depth of his experience in engineering, development, and operations will bring the brigade to new heights.
Photos by Pfc Rodgen V Quirante PA/ OACPA