MANILA - The Philippine Army (PA) on Wednesday announced the appointment of new commanders to three key posts. In a statement, PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said Col. Ulpiano T. Olarte was appointed to command the 55th Engineer Brigade (EBde) deployed to Lanao del Norte while Col. Jason Jumawan was designated as the new PA assistant chief of staff for operations. Meanwhile,Col. Jose Eduardo F. Liboon was named as the new Army Chief of Engineers. Olarte took over the 55th EBde's helm in a change of command ceremony held at the unit's headquarters in Balo-I, Lanao del Norte on Tuesday. "Col. Olarte assumed as the new 55EBde commander succeeding Brig. Gen. Irineo F. Sebastian who will hang his uniform for the last time after a military career spanning nearly 36 years," Trinidad said. Olarte served as deputy brigade commander of the Cebu City-based 53rd EBde before his new command. 55th Engineer Brigade commander Col. Ulpiano Olarte (Photo courtesy of Philippine Ar