Senate shooting staged? Jonvic Remulla firm there was no attack

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday maintained that the Senate was not under attack, but paused on concluding whether the “gun-related incident” was 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.

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.

He noted that before the incident, suspended Acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca supposedly gave directives to “lock and load.”

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.” — JMA, GMA News