Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Godspeed, General Dan Lucero

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I’ve just heard from GMA News reporter Maki Pulido that one of the good guys in the military is gone.

She said Brigadier General Dan Lucero had either a heart attack or a scuba diving accident died after experiencing dizziness after scuba diving this afternoon at about 3 PM 1:55 PM.

To find out more about the circumstance of his death, please click on this link.

Manny Mogato of Reuters confirmed Lucero died this afternoon in a diving accident in Zamboanga del Sur.

Lucero died just a little over a month after being appointed 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division Commander covering 116 towns and seven cities in Western Mindanao – including Basilan. He is also concurrently the commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade.

I met him while his military career was in the freezer because of his involvement in coup attempts against the late President Corazon Aquino. Interestingly, it was Mrs Aquino’s son who finally promoted him from colonel to general last year and to a senior post this April.

It was Lucero who patiently explained to me what soldiers were fighting for. And he also showed to me how soldiers could be honorable.

I only knew him on a professional basis – as a valued source who gave me many deep backgrounds on rapidly unfolding political events that embroiled the military. And who patiently explained to me the soldier’s viewpoint on politics, the communist insurgency and the Muslim rebel conflict.

He was also very humble. I didn’t know he was quite bemedalled.

He was a soldier to the end.

Godspeed, General Lucero.

But really, Sir, in all those conversations we had, I never expected I would be writing an obit about you.

UPDATES:

Melo Acuña, my colleague in Focap (Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines) posted the following tribute-song with this message:

This goes to a close friend, BGen. Dan Lucero (PMA ’83), 1st (Tabak) Division Commander who passed away in a scuba-diving accident somewhere in Basilan this afternoon. He was an efficient AFP spokesman and a dear friend. Godspeed. You’ve accomplished your mission. It’s time to rest.

Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Julie Alipala posted a photo of Gen. Lucero with his family:

happy trip sir!!! you were always busy fixing things, visiting troops, reviewing all the ISOs. He converted his troops from combat warrior to anti loggers and miners in Lanao. He installed cctvs in all the clustered precincts in Lanao to ensure “walang harassment sa voters.” Such a loss.

Daniel Lucero

My Facebook friend, Samira Gutoc-Tomawis – ARMM Aseemblywoman representing women – posted this:

THE GENERAL WHO “WALKED” WITH THE PEOPLE

By Assy Samira Gutoc-Tomawis

Marawi – The general named every one in the crowd one by one by their name showing how he had endeared himself to many of the Meranaos who have had a traumatic view of the army in the past. An MILF ceasefire leader, a priest, civil society, mayors, governors can only come together in Marawi City and Lanao because of one person who bridged when many local leaders could not. Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero (PMA Class ’83), commander of the 103rd Brigade, of Campo Ranaw now renamed Campo Mamarinta Lao, has been promoted to Major General of the 1st Infantry Division to be based in Pagadian City.

Witnessed by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, Army Commanding General Noel Coballes and Eastern Mindanao Command’s Rainier Cruz, Lucero turned over his command position of the 103rd to Col. Glenn Macasero yesterday in formal ceremonies at the camp’s open grounds (photos are on our page) .

“I rise everday to this view above the Lake in Lanao.. and walking with the people. ” Lucero said seeing the lovely view from above a mountain in the camp. H’s speech cited sharing power with the people, and that the Meranaos can rise above their challenges.

His decorated achievement report cited the fight against illegal logging (turning the confiscated wood to 600 chairs), warning multiple registrants during the reregistration period, , upholding the peace process with no encounters recorded in two years, preventing criminality amidst the Koko investment unrest and peace covenants,. Lucero with the MILF also publicly reconciled ancient vendettas in a first of its kind effort that brought a sentimental thrust to an unusual relationship found in a Moro people and a military command. He also cited the sacrifice of the exemplary work with some three soldiers being killed along the way, during an ambush at the Mindanao State University and another in a detachment protecting the Koko Razuman residence.

His recent Mindanao Bridging fellowship in the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) centered on electoral reform in Lanao and Marawi which saw the largest decrease of multiple registrants.

Lucero endorsed the locally-formed Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board pursuant to the Army Transformation Roadmap’s thrust to have a collaborative effort with the community.

Lucero served as AFP spokesman during the time of AFP chief Gen. Narciso Abaya from April 2003 to October 2004. He is among awardees of the Ten Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) in 2011.

TOPS is an annual search led by the Metro Bank Foundation and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro, in partnership with the AFP, to honor achievements of military personnel. TOPS had this to say about Lucero: “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 (then) 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 skilful 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.”

Lucero graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1983 and holds Masters Degrees from the University of the Philippines, and obtained a degree in International Relations from the Australian National University. (Reference: mindanaexaminer.com)

 

Comments

  1. Gen. Danny Lucero was a rare breed of soldier who believed in the power of authentic engagement with the people wherever he was assigned. He led by example, always at the forefront rather than pushing his men (and women) from behind. It is so sad that he left many of us too soon. He inspired so many while he was alive; and in his passing he has become even larger than life.

  2. May your rest in peace sir and Thank You for serving the country.

    Off-topic:
    Raissa i found this article from scmp that might interest you and every cpmers.

    Malaysian PM echoes Beijing’s call for joint development in South China Sea
    http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1253564/malaysian-pm-echoes-beijings-call-joint-development-south-china-sea

    I was wondering from the very beginning why is it only the Philippines and Vietnam are the ones being vocal about west Philippine Sea when there are other claimants like Malaysia and Brunei.

    Besides Cambodia, it seems that Malaysia already aligned itself with China instead of ASEAN members. I would not be suprised if the code of conduct that is being pushed will be delayed.

    • Whether we like it or not Chinese products so as their technologies are more CHEAPER than in USA or in EUROPE and becoming competitive too with regards to it’s QUALITY…

      Malaysia and Brunei knows how to MAXIMIZE any products of a trade agreement with CHINA, it was because they think of their COUNTRY FIRST before their pocket….Hindi sila corrupt such that personal profits will come along they way by having an HONEST TRADE NEGOTIATION with CHINA and journalist on that country were more transparent than we Filipinos…

      • They keep issues that affects their country and affects the life of their people in MOTION….they don’t bury it neither buried naturally .. SALN of LEGARDA must be investigated in fairness to CORONA and etc….. It should be in motion in constant motion at least.

        • buried naturally? Tell that to the ones who died at Tiananmen square. If they do not bury issues that will affect the lives of their people then can you tell me why Malaysia rejected PH offer to bring the case of Sabah to UN?

          I think everyone wants the Sabah case be resolved in UN so the future generation will never carry the burden of fighting for this territory. Malaysia already accepted the challenge and verdict before of Singapore and Indonesia, why not accept the Philippines challenge?

          Regarding your comments about CG laughing on another article:
          Can you please substantiate it? I also asked Nancy C. Carvajal who wrote that article in inquirer but until now she cant prove her claim. Will she quit her job the same way Taiwanese reporters who released false news/rumors in Taiwan? i doubt…

          If she cant substantiate it then i consider that as “sensationalizing the incident” which is very pathetic.

  3. because of raissa’s blog i have come to “meet” and know in greater depth filipinos that inspire respect and emulation. first it was robredo. now it is lucero. thank you so much, raissa.
    now very off topic because i don’t know where i can put out this question. what is the brotherhood i just heard about that helped binay make his daughter a senator and will insure that gets the philippine presidency in 2016? what is the nature of this brotherhood and why is it so powerful? it almost sounds like a silent invisible but gigantic octopus moving beneath the surface surreptitiously pulling strings till it achieves its goal.

    • Brotherhood? Maybe the Guardian???
      or the APO???

      The Guardian is for Gringo & Enrile…Guardian members both in the Philippines and abroad are the skilled workers. They can be easily swayed by their leaders. and they have families..

  4. off-‘speed’, thank you sir JPE with Mercury’s speed! You said on the floor of the Senate “I suffered the anger of the public as the media branded all that I had authorized for release to the Senators’ offices last December as my personal “CASH GIFTS” no matter how hard I tried to explain the nature of these disbursements from the Senate’s coffers and my own office’s savings.”

    …yea, “CASH GIFTS” always makes the people & country suffer too! Now, we have many school children who can’t be enrolled; no class rooms, no pencils, books, papers, & high tuition fees thrown at these poor ‘future hope of the Motherland!” Suffer, all of us!

  5. I truly have not known the late General Lucero but i am extending my condolences to his family and those who grieve for his passing. I just noticed from the picture while he is being given the Twenty One Gun Salute that the camera showed more of an untrimmed lawn making me think a little sad that it looks as if his body was buried there.in the wild. Are those wild weeds part of the cemetery or not? If it is, one of the best respect to show the dead is at least make the place regularly maintained.

    • Hi. The 21-gun salute to Brig Gen Dan Lucero was at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He was accorded full military honors.

  7. FROM GOD (ALLAH) ALMIGHTY WE CAME TO GOD IS OUR RETURN…..
    MAY DANIEL LUCERO SPIRIT REST IN PEACE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, SOMEWHERE OUT THERE….AMEN….

  8. Raissa please correct your caption of that photo of my brother Gen. Danny Lucero with two women unknown to me. They are NOT his wife Connie and daughter Paola. I should know.

    • Of course, Dave.

      Strange. That was posted by Julie Alipala on Facebook.

      My condolence to you and your family and his wife and daughter. Your brother was a good man. I will miss him.

      Can you e-mail me please to raissaroblesDOTcomATgmailDOTCOM his family photo?

      Thanks.

      • Raissa, the photo is that of Gen. Dan and Julie Alipala. The lady in the middle must be another Zambo journalist friend of the good General. He was well loved by journalists all over Mindanao, Zambo Peninsula especially, after having spent a large part of his career in these areas. Hope this clarification helps.

  9. What’s wrong of being a Putschist , if the leaders who are supposed to be servng the people are either corrupt to the bones or ignorant/dumb in doing their job.

  10. he was only 54. I hope it was not decompression sickness that got him. happens to divers who surfaced quickly. sad. we are minus another good man.

  11. Rest in good peace General Daniel Lucero! A true soldier always remembers the oath and honor o soldiering – TO SERVE AND DEFEND THE PEOPLE AND COUNTRY!

    Condolence to Mrs. Consuelo Lucero and daughter Paula Divina. He is with God now for sure, in paradise.

    Thanks Raissa for this article. We need to support our soldiers everyday ever more!

  12. “one of the good guys in the military is gone.”

    General Lucero was a military man, and military men are good guys. They sacrifice their lives so that we may live or, at the least, live in peace. But of course, there are also bad guys in the military, and they are exceptions.

    If I may add, General Lucero distinguished himself as a bemedalled, well respected and outstanding soldier.

    • At first I was wary of him, too.

      But he had learned his lesson. And had stayed on in the service.