PNoy personally condoles with soldiers' kin, warns killers

President Benigno Aquino III personally condoled late Friday with the kin of soldiers killed in a clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces in Basilan last Tuesday. Aquino, who went to the mortuary of the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City to pay his respects to the slain soldiers, also vowed to go after the killers – and those who coddle them. "Pero ginagarantiya ko po na lahat na tutugisin ng estado makukuha natin. Doon sa gustong makihalo dito sa kaguluhan na ito, hindi namin kayo sasantuhin maski sino pa kayo," he said, according to a report on Saksi Friday night. He also said those who coddle the killers will also be tracked down. "Pag kayo ay tumulong sa hinahabol ng estado kasama kayo sa hinahabol ng estado at tutugisin din kayo." Aquino talked to the relatives of the slain soldiers during his stay there. The remains of 15 of the 19 slain soldiers were brought to the Libingan ng Mga Bayani mortuary Friday evening. Many of the slain soldiers' kin and fellow soldiers were emotional as the remains of the slain soldiers arrived from Mindanao, the report said. It quoted at least one of the relatives as saying the government should scrap peace efforts with the MILF. "Huwag na ang peace talks kasi hindi naman nila sinusunod," said Leovelyn, a sister of one of the slain soldiers. Meanwhile, the report said at least two military officers were sacked from their posts in the wake of the incident. It said these included Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade Jr. and Col. Alex Macario, head of the Special Operations Task Force Basilan. Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said Friday afternoon, I have ordered the relief of Col. Macario, who will be replaced by Col. Ramon Yogyog effective October 21, after further inquiry shows operational lapses on his part." — LBG, GMA News