Remains of PHL Diplomat Killed in Pakistan Arrives in Manila

(PNA) -– The remains of Philippine Ambassador Domingo Lucenario Jr., who was killed in a helicopter crash in Pakistan last week, has finally arrived in the country.

Lucenario, 54, was among the six people killed, along with the Norwegian envoy, the wives of the ambassadors of Malaysia and Indonesia and the two pilots manning the aircraft, while they were on their way to visit two government projects in Northern Pakistan Friday.

A Pakistan C-130 military aircraft transported the casket, which was accompanied by Lucenario’s wife, Nida and their son, Domingo, and Pakistan’s Minister of Commerce. The aircraft landed at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 7:25 a.m.

The arrival ceremony for the 54-year-old diplomat, who was given military honors, was solemn and later turned emotional as his Philippine flag-draped coffin was greeted by weeping family members, relatives, friends and colleagues at the Foreign Service led by acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Linglingay Lacanlale.

“We are deeply saddened and we miss our father every single day,” said Lucenario’s eldest daughter Marien. “He was a great father and we’re grateful for everything he has done for us.”

Also present in the ceremony was Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, a personal friend of Lucenario.

“We were my batch mates in San Beda law school,” De Lima said. “He is a true professional, a true diplomat.”

Lucenario’s remains will be brought to the Heritage Park in Taguig City for public viewing beginning Thursday and will be temporarily transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pasay City on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a memorial service. He will be laid to rest on Sunday. (PNA) FFC/MDC/SSC