AFP mourns death of Lucero

MANILA, Philippines – Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista and the rest of military leadership on Sunday expressed their grief over the “untimely and unexpected passing” of Army’s First Infantry Division Commander Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero.

“AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel T. Bautista and rest of the AFP leadership extend their deepest condolences and prayers to BGen Lucero’s wife Maria Consuelo and daughter Paula Divina,” AFP Public Affairs chief Major Ramon Zagala said in a statement.

Lucero passed away at 1:55 p.m. at the Mendero Hospital in Pagadian City where he was sent for treatment after he collapsed after diving at Tabak beach in Tukura, Zamboanga del Sur.

He served the military right after graduation from the Philippine Military Academy in 1983.

Only on Wednesday May 29, he was awarded at the International Day for UN Peacekeepers at Camp Aguinaldo for his “meritorious performance and [significant] contribution” during his tour of duty at the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as Philippine Contingent Commander from December 2004 to June 2005.

Lucero was also named as one of  the Ten Outstanding Philippine Soldiers by the Metrobank Foundation and Rotary Club of Makati Metro in 2011.

“A military man has long been seen as stoic and content to let his actions speak for him, but what differentiates a man who has been appointed to speak for his peers? This was a challenge faced by Col. Daniel A. Lucero, who was appointed as spokesperson of Southern Command in Zamboanga City in 2002, and as Chief of the Public Information Office of the AFP and concurrent Spokesperson in 2003. His 24/7 availability to the media, along with his skillful handling, allowed him to effectively respond to the negative feedback thrown against the AFP during his assignment as Spokesperson. As Commander of the 18th Infantry Battalion stationed in Basilan, his group received the Commanding General-Philippine Army Streamer Award for 2001. The success of the Balikatan Exercises became a model for the Americans who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, and resulted in relative peace in Basilan from 2001 to 2006,” TOPS said.

He served as concurrent spokesman and chief of AFP Public Affairs Office in 2003.

A seasoned Army officer, he also commanded the 103rd Infantry Brigade in Lanao del Sur province, and as battalion commander of the 18th Infantry Battalion based in Basilan.