Philippine Authorities Investigate Senate Security Officers After May 13 Shooting

Philippine authorities are investigating Senate security officers who discharged their weapons on May 13 while Senator Ronald Dela Rosa took shelter inside the legislative building. Juanito Victor Remulla, secretary of the interior and local government, stated on May 19 that the shooting was not an attack on the Senate and that no one was in the area when the first shot was fired.

Remulla identified Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca as the person who fired the first shot.

National Police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez said investigators recovered 44 fired cartridges from four firearms. Nartatez stated that Aplasca had been called to a police inquiry to have his gun tested but had not yet complied. CCTV footage subpoenaed from the Senate appeared to show Aplasca firing a rifle.

Remulla said the president has been informed of the findings but has not given instructions yet. The case is being handed over to the Department of Justice for further investigation.

The shooting occurred after the International Criminal Court confirmed an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa on suspicion of crimes against humanity. Dela Rosa, a 64-year-old former police chief, had taken refuge in the Senate on May 11. Nartatez said Dela Rosa left the building and entered a car registered to Senator Robin Padilla, which departed for an unknown destination.

Remulla stated that government agents never entered the Senate building during the incident. Dela Rosa served as a top lieutenant to former President Rodrigo Duterte and oversaw aspects of the drug enforcement campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths.