NBI driver arrested after Senate shooting tests positive for gunpowder - SPD

A driver of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) who was arrested following a shooting incident at the Senate has tested positive for gunpowder residue, the Southern Police District (SPD) said on Sunday night.

“Base sa result, positive po sa presence ng gunpowder yung‘ alleged NBI driver,” said SPD Public Information Office chief Police Lt. Margaret Panaga in a message to GMA News.

(Based on the result, the alleged NBI driver is positive for the presence of gunpowder.)

The suspect – identified as a certain “Mel Oragon” – was arrested after the incident and underwent inquest proceedings for violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, alarm and scandal, direct assault, trespass to property, and violation of Senate security.

The arrest came after several gunshots were fired inside the Senate building on Wednesday evening amid an ongoing lockdown, causing panic and alarm among people still inside the upper chamber’s premises.

The shooting incident transpired while Senator Ronald “Bato” Rosa was still under the Senate’s protective custody.

Initial investigation showed that the suspect, allegedly armed with an undetermined caliber of gun, fired several gunshots inside the Senate building, causing panic and alarm among people in the area at around 7:50 p.m. inside within the GSIS Compound.

The NBI driver’s lawyer and wife maintained that he is just a driver of one of the NBI operatives and not a regular employee of the agency. — JMA, GMA News