The chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) insisted that last week’s shooting incident at the Senate was not an attack, stressing that all available evidence points instead to what authorities described as a “gun-related incident.”
Speaking during a briefing in Malacañang, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified that investigators found no indication that the Senate complex came under assault.
“For the record, all evidence points that there was no attack on the Senate,” he said. “Take note, it is called a gun-related incident.”
Remulla, alongside Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., presented before the media a timeline of events surrounding the commotion that erupted from May 13 to May 14, following Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s announcement that he could face arrest.
The PNP formally turned over its investigation report, including videos, photographs, and other evidence gathered from the Senate complex, to Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida for further review by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Included in the evidence were reports showing the recovery of 44 spent shell casings allegedly fired from four different firearms.
Authorities identified possible shooters as Senate Sergeant-at-Arms retired Major General Mao Aplasca, Charlie Dulao Montilla, Joemil Salzar Ledesma, all from the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent Darwin Nicomedes Francisco.
Remulla noted that among the individuals involved, only Aplasca allegedly failed to appear before investigators and did not surrender his firearm.
Nartatez also emphasized that neither the PNP personnel nor the Philippine Marines stationed at the Senate discharged their weapons during the incident.
According to the police chief, all gunfire originated from inside the building and no shots were fired from outside the Senate premises.
He added that based on initial findings, Aplasca allegedly fired the first shot, reportedly directed toward NBI agents stationed at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Building, which shares the complex with the Senate.
Remulla explained that the NBI presence at the GSIS compound was intended to help secure the state insurance agency after concerns emerged over possible unrest following dela Rosa’s public call for supporters to gather and resist his possible arrest.
The DILG chief said GSIS officials sought assistance from the NBI to help protect valuable government assets, including paintings reportedly worth billions of pesos, while crowds had already begun forming outside the Senate grounds.
He added that police forces assigned around the Senate area were already heavily deployed, prompting GSIS to seek additional security support.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reportedly been informed of the police findings, although Remulla said the President has yet to issue any directive regarding the matter.
Vida said the DOJ would independently validate all evidence submitted by the PNP before reaching any conclusions.
“The DOJ will not take this as is. We will check the timelines, the source of the videos, and everything. At the end of this, what matters is the truth,” Vida said.
He declined to identify possible individuals who may face charges, saying it would be premature while the DOJ panel continues its investigation.
Nartatez also disclosed that among the materials submitted to the DOJ was video footage showing Senators dela Rosa and Robin Padilla leaving the Senate complex around 2:30 am on May 14 aboard a white Toyota Fortuner reportedly registered under Padilla’s name.
Vida declined to comment on whether the Senate could face any liability over dela Rosa’s departure, but noted that the chamber had custody over the senator at the time.