Bam Aquino seeks probe into Senate shooting incident

Senator Bam Aquino has filed a resolution Thursday seeking a probe into the shooting incident that occurred within the Senate’s premises on Wednesday evening.

In filing Senate Resolution No. 397, Aquino wants the appropriate committees, in aid of legislation, to look into the incident wherein armed men were involved. He noted that the inquiry must establish a “clear and authoritative factual record” regarding the incident.

“Walang lugar ang pagpapaputok ng baril o anumang armadong komprontasyon sa loob ng Senado,” said Aquino in a statement.

(There is no place for the firing of guns or any armed confrontation inside the Senate.)

“Ang mga ganitong insidente ay nakasisira sa tiwala ng publiko at sa integridad ng ating institusyon, nagsisilbing banta sa kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga empleyado, bisita at mga miyembro ng media, at nakakaapekto sa katatagan ng ating demokrasya,” he added.

(Incidents such as this damages public trust and the integrity of our institution; they serve as a threat to the safety and welfare of employees, visitors, and members of the media, and they affect the stability of our democracy.)

Gunshots rang out at the Senate amid an ongoing lockdown at the upper chamber, where Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa was under protective custody.

The tension at the Senate developed after the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order sought by Dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity of murder.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said armed men tried to enter the Senate building through its second floor. He added that personnel from the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) fired a warning shot at them.

Following the tensions at the upper chamber on Wednesday evening, Dela Rosa is no longer in the Senate.

“It is imperative for the Senate to review and strengthen institutional safeguards to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents and ensure the continued protection of democratic institutions,” said Aquino. —RF, GMA News