Slain airman was part of UN peacekeeping force

MANILA, Philippines - The Air Force sergeant killed in the armed encounter in Quezon last Sunday used to be part of the United Nations peacekeeping contingent in Liberia and was set to retire this year.

Air Force S/Sgt. Armando Lescano’s daughter Eloisa said he was a dedicated soldier who received numerous awards in his 25 years of military service.

“The only thing we wish is for the government to give justice to my father and clear his name. We know that he was not involved in any gun-for-hire or any illegal activity,” Eloisa said.

Lescano was an intelligence officer of the Intel-Investigation Section of the 554th Air Force Squadron.

“It pains us that our father is being accused of so many things despite the fact that he had many awards during his long service in the military,” Eloisa said.

Lescano received the Commandant’s Award in his Non-Commissioned Officer School in Air Education and Training Command at Fernando Airbase, for obtaining the third highest overall rating in both academic and military phases of instruction in January 2009.

He was also named Squadron Airman for three consecutive years – 1999, 2000 and 2001 – at Sangley Airbase in Cavite and received a Leadership Award in his Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course at Fernando Airbase.