Philippine Security Guards Under Investigation Following Senate Shooting Incident

Philippine Authorities Investigate Senate Security Officers Over Shooting Incident

A shooting incident occurred at the Philippine Senate on May 13, resulting in dozens of gunshots being fired. According to authorities, the incident was not an “attack on the Senate” and has been identified as a result of actions by Senate security officers.

The investigation has revealed that Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca fired the first shot. National Police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez stated that investigators recovered 44 fired cartridges from four firearms, which were linked to Aplasca’s gun. It was reported that Aplasca had been called to a police inquiry to have his firearm tested, but he had not yet complied.

CCTV footage subpoenaed by investigators appears to show Aplasca firing a rifle. The incident occurred when Senator Ronald Dela Rosa took refuge in the Senate on May 11 after an International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed having unsealed his arrest warrant on suspicion of crimes against humanity.

Dela Rosa, who is awaiting trial before the ICC, had been a key figure in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. The incident led to armed soldiers storming the building to arrest Dela Rosa later that day. Authorities have informed the president of the findings and are handing over the case to the Department of Justice for further investigation.

The police chief stated that all evidence points to there being no attack on the Senate, and that government agents did not enter the building during the incident.

Source: Al Jazeera