Malacañang Monday said it has conducted an investigation on the alleged pullout of the late former President Corazon Aquino’s two military escorts while she was battling for her life last month at the Makati Medical Center even as it apologized for the “bureaucratic lapse” in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Malacañang has called for the inquiry following the statement made by TV host Kris Aquino, the former president’s youngest daughter, that the government orchestrated the return of the two soldiers to their mother units for “accounting” purposes.

The two soldiers, whom Kris said they treated as members of the family, used to accompany the late
president on every occasion, even in the hospital.

Claudio said the investigation was being initiated by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita whose family is close to the Aquinos. Ermita served as defense undersecretary during the Aquino administration.

“I find it absolutely regrettable, and I have talked with Secretary Ermita over the phone. I understand
he’s investigating it,” Claudio said in an ambush interview, shortly after the special mass offered Monday by Malacañang for the late president, and which was officiated by Fathers Flaviano Villanueva and Joselito Granil at the Kalayaan Hall.

While not answering queries if the Palace will attempt to explain the government’s side, Claudio, however, said that an investigation is being conducted to shed light on the issue. “I’m completely in the dark about that.”

In a television interview, Kris became emotional as she remembered how the two soldiers were forced to report back, leaving her mother unguarded.

In a radio interview, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is in the United States as part of the presidential delegation, took the opportunity to express the Arroyo administration’s condolences to the Aquino family.

“We would like to apologize to the family for any inconvenience or any misunderstanding it has caused… if feelings have been hurt by that bureaucratic lapse in the AFP,” he said.

He said the AFP already explained that the tour of duty of the two military escorts expired from six months to one year and after the expiration, they would be either reappointed or transferred to another assignment.

“Pagkatapos pag-expire ng tour of duty either i-reappoint ka o papalitan, so that's the explanation na bigay ng AFP. Medyo na-misunderstand ng pamilya, humingi kami ng pang-unawa at humihingi kami ng appeal na dapat di na lang babanggitin ang issue na ito (upon the end of their tour of duty the security escorts are reappointed or changed. The Aquino family understands. But we apologize and appeal that this issue is no longer discussed),” Remonde said.

The television host also bared before the passing of her mother that a family friend from Malacañang offered a state funeral for the former president.

“After the passing of the former president, there was already back-channeling with Aquino family members who are also in the administration and noon pa sinabi nila, they want to keep it a family affair so malugod naming tinanggap (so we respect the family’s decision),” Remonde said.

“The fact that we have cut short our trip, we have declared 10 days of national mourning, we have declared tomorrow’s burial as a non-working holiday should demonstrate the sincerity of the administration in paying respects to the passing of the former presiden,” he added.

Remonde appealed to Arroyo critics not to politicize the demise of Mrs. Aquino. ”Let it be a healing factor, instead of being a divisive factor.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) clarified Monday that it has never pulled out the police security escorts assigned to Mrs. Aquino.

Chief Supt. Lina Sarmiento, commander of the Police Security Protection Group (PSPG), said the three police close-in security personnel assigned to the late President stood by her until the last minute.

“The security detail assigned to President Aquino was never pulled out and continued to perform duty for the former president until her dying moments,” said Sarmiento. “They were only placed under the Protection and Escort Unit which is mandated to provide security for VIPs. The policemen reported to PSPG for accounting purposes only and were told to report back immediately to their duty with the former president,” she added.

Sarmiento said the three personnel from the PSPG remain on duty at the Aquino residence on Times Street in Quezon City.