MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III ordered the Philippine flag to be flown at half-mast on Saturday, May 16, the scheduled burial date of Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Domingo Lucenario Jr, 

Lucenario died in a helicopter crash on May 8, along with the Ambassador of Norway to Pakistan, the wives of the Indonesian and Malaysian envoys, two Pakistani pilots and a Pakistani crew member.

In a proclamation released by Malacañang on Thursday, May 14, the day after Lucenario’s body arrived in Manila, the Palace ordered “that the Philippine flag be flown at half-mast, from sunrise to sunset in the Department of Foreign Affairs Main Office, its Foreign Service Posts and Regional Consular Office… as a sign of respect, honor and recognition for his exemplary service to the Republic of the Philippines.”

The President’s schedule for Thursday also showed a visit to Lucenario’s wake at Heritage Park.

Aside from Pakistan, Lucenario helped the country maintain relations with Afghanistan, Kyrgztan and Tajikistan. He has been a member of the diplomatic corps since 1986 and has served various posts in Germany, Australia, Hong Kong and was ambassador to various African countries.

Lucenario is also a recipient of the Order of Sikatuna Award, the Order of Lakandula Award and the Gawad Mabini Award. – Rappler.com