The remains of seven of the eight fatalities in the crash of a presidential helicopter arrived in Manila from Baguio City Thursday morning and will be brought to Malaca?ang, military officials said. In separate telephone interviews with GMANews.TV, Armed Forces information chief Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres and Air Forces spokesman Major Gerardo Zamudio said the bodies of the seven victims arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City around 11 A.M. Service commanders were present during the arrival honors given upon the arrival of the bodies, Torres said. According to the two military spokesmen, the bodies will first be brought to the Loyola Memorial Chapel in Guadalupe, Makati before being taken to the Heroes' Hall in Malaca?ang, where the victims' families and other government officials can pay their respects. “Nakarating na. Nasa Loyola (Memorial Chapel) sa Guadalupe muna. Tapos mamaya dadalhin sila sa Malaca?ang Heroes' Hall,” Zamudio said. [They have already arrived. The bodies are now at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe Makati City. Later in the day, they will be brought to the Malaca?ang Heroes' Hall. The remains can be viewed there for one day.] Killed in the tragedy were Press Undersecretary Jose Capadocia, presidential military aide Brig. Gen. Carlos Clet, Undersecretary for Presidential Engagements and Appointments Malou Frostrom, Presidential Management Staff assistant director Perlita Bandayanon, Navy Petty Officer 1 Demy Reyno, and Air Force Sergeant Roe Gem Perez. The pilots were identified as Major Rolando Sacatani and Captain Alvin Alegata. The wreckage of the Bell 412 helicopter was found Wednesday afternoon on a heavily forested mountain along the boundaries of Benguet and Ifugao provinces. Torres said Perez's body will be brought to Manila later as Perez's body was last to be found. In a separate telephone interview, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the wake at the Malaca?ang Heroes' Hall will be until tomorrow. Afterward, the remains will be brought to the victims' families. Earlier in the day, President Gloria Arroyo led government officials in paying their respects to the remains of seven of the eight fatalities. Radio dzRH said the president and other officials attended a mass in Baguio City where the caskets containing the bodies of the seven victims were blessed.
