Gunshots fired inside Senate

MANILA, Philippines, May 14 ------ Shots were fired last night on the second floor of the Senate building, triggering chaos and panic, as police and military personnel scoured the premises searching for Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.

President Marcos addressed the nation last night to clarify that all uniformed government forces seen in video footages were part of the Senate’s security forces, and did not come from outside. “The government did not do this,” Marcos said, adding that there were no members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at the Senate.

He called for calm – “kalma lang po” – as he vowed to find out what happened, including the possibility that the gunfire was part of destabilization. Nobody was reported hurt in the shooting. Some quarters suspected that it was meant as a diversionary tactic to allow Dela Rosa to sneak out.

The events unfolded after the Supreme Court did not issue the temporary restraining order sought by Dela Rosa. Instead the SC ordered the government to comment within 72 hours on his petition for a TRO against his arrest and turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. In the absence of the TRO, authorities were expected to carry out Dela Rosa’s arrest for crimes against humanity – an offense with the maximum penalty of life in prison, which does not grant him the privilege of immunity from arrest while the Senate is in session.

Marcos, however, said last night that after the SC order came out, he instructed the NBI not to arrest Dela Rosa. His Senate allies said they were giving him “protective custody,” but authorities said the chamber does not have this mandate and senators could face criminal indictment for obstruction of justice. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla arrived at the Senate at around 8:30 p.m., telling the media that he was there not to arrest Dela Rosa but to “secure the senators” amid the gunfire.

Remulla ordered police to secure pieces of evidence in the Senate to shed light on the shooting incident earlier. “Secure the CCTV room, there is nothing to be touched,” he told police before entering the Senate building. He arrived with over 30 police officers led by National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin for a meeting with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

The National Bureau of Investigation, which received the ICC warrant of arrest for Dela Rosa, denied that its men were at the Senate premises, especially at the time when gunshots were heard. Earlier, Dela Rosa was seen with Sen. Robinhood Padilla entering the elevator along with several others, presumably security escorts. Cayetano went on Facebook Live after the gunshots and slammed the NBI for the incident. “I don’t know what’s happening. Why are we under attack here?” Cayetano said. “I’m willing to go out and face anyone who is going to serve the warrant. But do not do this!”

His sister Sen. Pia Cayetano also appeared in live feed talking to NBI director Melvin Matibag. “What are you going to do about this?! Pinuputukan kami rito!” Pia said. When the NBI official said there were gunshots because of the Senate security’s actions, Pia said: “Do your job! Make us safe!” Aside from the Cayetanos, Sen. Camille Villar was also seen in the live feed. Cayetano confirmed that the majority was having a caucus when the gunshots were heard.

Over 1,500 police officers were securing the Senate premises, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. He arrived at the Senate shortly before 9 p.m. to personally get information about the shooting incident. Except for officers from the Police Security and Protection Group assigned as security detail to some senators, Nartatez said no other police officers were in the building when the shooting occurred. Nartatez said he has no information who were involved in the shooting.

Source: philstar.com