(Manila, 17th) The Philippine Ombudsman on Saturday ordered the suspension of Senate security chief Aprasca for six months to investigate the rare shooting incident that occurred inside the Senate building on Wednesday (May 13).
At the center of the storm, the Senate building was shaken by multiple gunshots on Wednesday night, plunging the scene into chaos and triggering an emergency lockdown. No one was injured in the shooting, but former police chief and current senator Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, took advantage of the chaos to escape and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Meanwhile, Philippine Justice Secretary Guevarra made a strong statement on Friday, emphasizing that Manila will "100 percent" cooperate with the ICC's request for arrest. He warned that any act of assisting Dela Rosa’s escape would be a contempt of the judicial system. Border agencies are now on full alert and will immediately carry out an arrest if Dela Rosa attempts to flee the country.
As for the cause of the Senate chaos, both opposition and law enforcement agencies give conflicting accounts. Newly appointed Senate President Cayetano backed his subordinate and requested that the Ombudsman also suspend National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Matibag. He claimed that it was NBI agents who provoked the incident first by trying to forcibly enter and make an arrest, and that Aprasca fired shots as a warning to defend the dignity of Congress.
However, live media footage showed that NBI personnel did not overstep their bounds but were inside the neighboring Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building, investigating after discovering carpenters chiseling through a secret passage connecting to the Senate. Moments later, Aprasca arrived with his team and opened fire, forcing reporters and agents to scramble for cover.
Ombudsman Remulla criticized Aprasca, saying he was supposed to maintain order but instead opened fire and triggered chaos. Additionally, Aprasca had donned a bulletproof vest before the confrontation, raising the Ombudsman’s suspicion that the gunfight was deliberately orchestrated to create confusion and cover Dela Rosa’s escape.
The spokesperson of the Philippine National Police pointed out that under police operational procedures, firing warning shots in any action is strictly prohibited unless law enforcement officers’ lives are under imminent threat of death or injury.
Vice President Sara is currently facing an impeachment case in Congress. On Monday (the 11th), the House passed the impeachment and submitted the case to the Senate for trial. Sara’s supporters in the Senate replaced the president, which is believed to help her evade impeachment.
Dela Rosa is a supporter of Sara and the Duterte family. On Monday, he went to the Senate to vote, helping oust former Senate President Sotto and electing Duterte faction’s Cayetano as the new president.
The NBI arrived at the scene to arrest Dela Rosa, but Cayetano ordered his protection. He hid in the Senate building for two days to avoid arrest and quietly left during Wednesday night’s shooting incident.
Meanwhile, Philippine Justice Secretary Guevarra made a strong statement on Friday, emphasizing that Manila will "100 percent" cooperate with the ICC's request for arrest. He warned that any act of assisting Dela Rosa’s escape would be a contempt of the judicial system. Border agencies are now on full alert and will immediately carry out an arrest if Dela Rosa attempts to flee the country.
As for the cause of the Senate chaos, both opposition and law enforcement agencies give conflicting accounts. Newly appointed Senate President Cayetano backed his subordinate and requested that the Ombudsman also suspend National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Matibag. He claimed that it was NBI agents who provoked the incident first by trying to forcibly enter and make an arrest, and that Aprasca fired shots as a warning to defend the dignity of Congress.
However, live media footage showed that NBI personnel did not overstep their bounds but were inside the neighboring Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building, investigating after discovering carpenters chiseling through a secret passage connecting to the Senate. Moments later, Aprasca arrived with his team and opened fire, forcing reporters and agents to scramble for cover.
Ombudsman Remulla criticized Aprasca, saying he was supposed to maintain order but instead opened fire and triggered chaos. Additionally, Aprasca had donned a bulletproof vest before the confrontation, raising the Ombudsman’s suspicion that the gunfight was deliberately orchestrated to create confusion and cover Dela Rosa’s escape.
The spokesperson of the Philippine National Police pointed out that under police operational procedures, firing warning shots in any action is strictly prohibited unless law enforcement officers’ lives are under imminent threat of death or injury.
Vice President Sara is currently facing an impeachment case in Congress. On Monday (the 11th), the House passed the impeachment and submitted the case to the Senate for trial. Sara’s supporters in the Senate replaced the president, which is believed to help her evade impeachment.
Dela Rosa is a supporter of Sara and the Duterte family. On Monday, he went to the Senate to vote, helping oust former Senate President Sotto and electing Duterte faction’s Cayetano as the new president.
The NBI arrived at the scene to arrest Dela Rosa, but Cayetano ordered his protection. He hid in the Senate building for two days to avoid arrest and quietly left during Wednesday night’s shooting incident.