Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday appealed to the public to avoid speculation over last Wednesday’s shooting incident at the Senate premises, as he assured that investigators are working to establish the facts and release their findings as soon as possible.
“Just like everyone, we in the PNP are also interested to know everything about this incident,” said Nartatez amid circulating theories and claims on social media about what took place.
The incident involved personnel from the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), who fired warning shots at National Bureau of Investigation agents positioned at the nearby Government Service Insurance System building. NBI agents reportedly retaliated, prompting OSAA personnel to fire additional shots.
The confrontation came two days after NBI agents attempted to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa at the Senate premises following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Senate later placed Dela Rosa under protective custody after the failed arrest attempt, but he left the Senate building early Thursday morning.
Dela Rosa has been named as among the alleged co-perpetrators of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the crimes against humanity case before the ICC.
“We are looking into all the angles based on facts and all the pieces of evidence that we have, and we can get in order to come up with a clear picture of what really happened in the interest of truth, accountability, and justice,” said Nartatez.
According to the PNP chief, investigators have already gathered pieces of evidence and testimonies, including information from an arrested suspect. He was referring to an alleged NBI driver who was apprehended by OSAA personnel shortly after the incident and later turned over to the Pasay City police.
Nartatez also confirmed that the PNP had received copies of closed-circuit television footage from the Senate at the time of the incident. He said concerned government agencies have been cooperating with the police investigation.
The PNP chief asked the public to give investigators enough time to complete their work and determine what happened based on verified evidence.
“We acknowledge the urgency of providing all our kababayan definite answers to their questions over the incident, answers that are based on facts and as a result of meticulous investigation,” said Nartatez.
“The Filipino people deserve to know the truth, and we in the PNP commits to release the investigation in the soonest possible time,” added Nartatez.