MANILA, Philippines -- The administration is walking the tight rope of needing to be forceful while at the same time being careful not to ignite another conflict in an already volatile situation.

This is how presidential aspirant and former Defense Secretary Gilbert ?Gibo? Teodoro, Jr. defended Malacañang?s handling of the Maguindanao massacre, after it received much criticism for giving the Ampatuan family ? the alleged suspects ? a kid?s glove treatment since the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao was reported.

?The government needs to be more forceful in this case but it also should not do anything that would ignite another conflict,? Teodoro told reporters at the inauguration of the new assembly hall of the Serrano Elementary School in Valenzuela city.

In a short press briefing, he said that the police who have been on top of the Maguindanao investigation had to balance a complex situation.

Apart from the wrangling Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus, he said, authorities needed to deal with the presence of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front groups led by Ameril Umbra Kato and the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah.

Teodoro, who is chair and standard bearer of the administration?s Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, announced Wednesday evening the expulsion of Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his two sons: Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, and Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Teodoro said on Thursday that stripping the Ampatuans of their party membership was not a declaration of their culpability in the massacre but an act of condemnation for the clan leaders' failure to uphold the party?s ideals.

?We know that expelling the Ampatuans? from the ranks of Lakas will not bring back the dead. But with their expulsion, we are showing to the entire country and the world our moral and political suasion,? Teodoro said.

He said he was unfazed by any political backlash that the ouster of the Ampatuans could bring to his presidential bid.

?I am well prepared for any political repercussion this expulsion will bring on my presidential campaign,? Teodoro said.

According to the former defense chief, the government also needs to immediately relieve all high-ranking military commanders in the region to give way to ?transparency and impartiality in the ongoing investigations? in Maguindanao.

He said in the same way that the Philippine National Police already ordered the suspension of its police officials in the area, so should the military commanders there be relieved. This, he said, would signify the government?s commitment towards solving the case.