NBI volunteer nabbed after Senate shooting faces firearms, assault complaints

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) volunteer who was earlier arrested following a reported shooting incident at the Senate on May 13 is now facing complaints before the court.

According to a "24 Oras" report on Friday, authorities said the suspect, alias “Mel Oragon,” is facing complaints for violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and for direct assault.

He was arrested at the GSIS building, located beside the Senate building, shortly after the alleged gunshots.

Initial information indicated that the suspect was allegedly an NBI agent's driver and was in the area to retrieve a bag that was left behind.

His lawyer denied his involvement in the shooting, earlier saying that his client had no participation in the incident.

At least seven gunshots rang out at the Senate premises on Wednesday evening, worsening an already-tense situation at the building, which was earlier placed under lockdown.

At around 7:30 p.m., acting Senate sergeant-at-arms and retired Police Major General Mao Aplasca announced that they will implement an arrest, without naming the subject.

Aplasca was asked who would be arrested, but he declined to share details.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa – who is under the Senate’s protective custody amid an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) – was also seen with his staff as they boarded an elevator. He came from the office of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

A few minutes later, reporters heard noises coming from what seemed to be a grinder. The noises came from behind a door of the Senate premises that was adjacent to the building of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

The OSAA said it received information that unknown persons were allegedly attempting to enter the Senate building.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa left the Senate building early Thursday, just hours after the shooting incident. —Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA News