Former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV is urging the National Bureau of investigation to file attempted homicide charges against Senate Sergeant-at Arms General Mao Aplasca for firing shots at agents at the Senate on the evening of May 13 (Wednesday).
Speaking at a podcast aired on Thursday evening, Trillanes said that Aplasca instigated the incident and he knew that NBI agents were behind the door that connects the GSIS Building to the Senate. “The NBI was not trying to enter the premises. They were not trying to serve an arrest warrant because there is a stand down order.”
He also explained that it is not part of the rules of engagement of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to engage law enforcement units. He claimed that the incident was staged under the direction of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and believes that Aplasca talked to the senate president upon learning that NBI agents are there.
“Nagpakilala sa kanya yung NBI e, tapos puputukan mo ng warning shots? Tapos nag-create siya ngayon ng scenario na nakatutok daw yung baril [sa kanya]. Paano siya tututukan ng baril e kayo (Aplasca) nga ang nagbukas ng pinto. Hindi naman buo yung hallway na iyon.” Trillanes said.
As mentioned by NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag at the Malacañang press briefing on Thursday morning, he deployed several agents to the GSIS premises on Wednesday evening based on the request of GSIS Director Jose Arnulfo Veloso.
“Kung ako sa NBI, kakasuhan ko ng attempted homicide si Aplasca,” Trillanes said
The former senator also claimed that the media were sent at a particular distance from the scene just enough to hear the gunshots because Aplasca wanted the incident to be broadcasted online to gain sympathy from the public.
“They showed chaos hoping to use that incident na ginawa nila para makakuha sila ng injunction sa korte suprema,” he added.