Senate shooting staged? Jonvic Remulla firm there was no attack

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday stressed that the Senate was not under attack when shots were fired inside its premises on Wednesday last week.

Remulla, however, would not say if the "gun-related incident" had been staged.

“All evidence points that there was no attack at the Senate,” Remulla said in a Palace briefing.

Remulla and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. presented CCTV footage at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) complex and the Senate building that showed how the incident transpired.

Asked if it could be concluded if the incident was staged or not, Remulla said, “No, the only conclusion is that there was no attack to the Senate.”

Remulla said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was already informed about the matter, but no directives were given as of the moment.

On Monday, Malacañang also expressed belief that the Senate was “not under attack.”

Timeline of events

Remulla and Nartatez, during the briefing, laid out the timeline of the events, starting from May 12 to May 14, when Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa left the Senate.

“Umaga pa lang ng May 12 nagco-coordinate na ang GSIS security officials and the OSAA security officials with regards to the security on GSIS,” Nartatez said.

(On the morning of May 12, GSIS security officials and OSAA security officials coordinated with regard to the security at the GSIS.)

The Senate holds sessions and offices at the GSIS complex.

The Interior Secretary stood firm that there were no National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents who set foot inside the Senate building, which is housed inside the GSIS complex.

Remulla said the NBI agents’ presence at the GSIS complex was solely intended to secure the GSIS premises, which was coordinated with the Senate maintenance.

“All entrances from GSIS to the Senate since early in the morning were being fortified by the GSIS maintenance. They had duly informed the maintenance of the Senate that there is going to be drill work going on in all the doors of the Senate, GSIS connecting to the Senate,” Remulla said.

The DILG chief said that the fortification of doors was requested by the GSIS general manager to secure the entrances going into the GSIS “after Senator Bato dela Rosa called for a people power.”

“The GSIS contains billions of pesos worth of artworks that are displayed on its walls. Had there been an overflow of people going to the GSIS, the losses would have been incredible,” Remulla said.

PNP’s findings

Remulla said no one from the NBI group deployed at the GSIS building was wearing tactical gear, which showed “no intention to attack the Senate.”

Ballistic reports presented by the PNP showed that the fired cartridge case recovered by the Scene of Crime Operations (SOCO) was possibly fired by four firearms.

The investigation listed four probable shooters, three shot from the Senate premises and one by an NBI agent.

“General Aplasca called in the OSAA operatives, including the PNP and the Marines, and gave the order to lock and load. So in his order, you could see the Marines were cocking their guns,” Remulla said.

He said Aplasca gave the lock and load order in full view of the press.

“He asked them to follow, and he allowed them to follow up to a certain point. In normal situations, if there is a perceived confrontation, you will clear the building of all personnel because of possible stray fire.”

Department of Justice Secretary Vida said that while the investigation report that was presented was “compelling,” the department will not take the evidence as is and will be reviewed further by the panel of prosecutors.

The DOJ is set to create a panel of prosecutors that will review the evidence submitted by the PNP.

Vida said that they have identified the persons who will be held accountable for the incident, but refused to disclose the names because he “does not want to preclude the panel.” —JMA/NB, GMA News