Remains of soldiers killed in Sulu arrive in Manila

The remains of the seven soldiers killed in an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu last Thursday were brought to Metro Manila Saturday afternoon. President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay led officials in waiting for the arrival of the remains, radio dwIZ reported. A C-130 bearing the remains of the slain soldiers arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at about 3 p.m., the report added. Philippine Marines and Philippine Navy personnel rendered full arrival honors to the dead soldiers. The remains will be brought to the St. Peter Chapel in Quezon City and to the Marines headquarters at Fort Bonifacio on Sunday. On Friday night, Aquino vowed to go after the Abu Sayyaf following the encounter, where some of the soldiers were beheaded. The Abu Sayyaf is now on top of the Aquino administration’s “radar," the President said, noting that pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf will go on even during the holy month of Ramadan. — JE, GMA News