Army general to be buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani

MANILA, Philippines - The remains of Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, who died in a scuba diving accident last Sunday, will be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Saturday, the Army said Tuesday.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said the interment would be held at 12 noon at the heroes’ cemetery in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

A necrological service will be held at the cemetery’s mortuary on Friday. Lucero’s body will remain in the chapel until the burial.

The 117-hectare Libingan ng mga Bayani is the burial place of deceased presidents, dignitaries, war veterans, national artists, scientists, boy scouts, and military officials.

Brig. Gen. Felicito Trinidad, who was named officer-in-charge of the Army’s 1st division, led his troops in rendering honors to their late commander. 

The body was brought to the division’s headquarters in Zamboanga del Sur last Monday for the rendering of military honors.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, security officials, academicians, members of civil society groups and political leaders led by Gov. Antonio Cerilles paid their respects to Lucero, who was active in peacekeeping activities.

A provincial board resolution praising Lucero for his peace advocacies was read by Vice Gov. Juan Regala.

The body was then airlifted to the Villamor Airbase in Pasay before it was transported to Fort Bonifacio.

Lucero collapsed at about 1:55 p.m. last Sunday after diving at the Tabak beach in Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur. He was then rushed to the Mendero Hospital in Pagadian City, where he died at 3:55 p.m.

Irene Lacson, Lucero’s attending physician, said the general died of heart attack.