Ombudsman Remulla doubts Mao Aplasca complying with suspension order

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla expressed doubt Tuesday if Acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca is complying with the 60-day suspension order served against him over his alleged role in the May 13 Senate shooting.

"I was alarmed when I saw Aplasca still talking [to the] media and still holding office somewhere there. So I wrote Senator Cayetano about enforcing the preventive suspension given by this office," Remulla said in a press conference, referring to Senate President Alan Cayetano.

"And we have not yet received a reply from the Senate President. But we expect one. Because we will know if he (Aplasca) is complying with our order or not," Remulla added.

Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman placed Aplasca under preventive suspension for six months without pay for discharging his firearm during the shooting incident.

Remulla had said the suspension was necessary as the Ombudsman was investigating the matter.

Aplasca previously admitted that he fired the first warning shot against National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents who were at the GSIS building.

Meanwhile, Remulla said Aplasca's suspension applies to both his position as acting Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate and as Sergeant-at-Arms of the Commission on Appointments.

"Baka gusto nila magpilosopo. Isa lang 'yan. Kung ano ang posisyon niyang hinahawakan [ngayon], suspended po siya," Remulla said.

(Maybe they are trying to go around with it. But the suspension applies whatever his current position.)

GMA News Online has reached out to Aplasca through the Senate's public relations unit, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) had reported that ballistics examination showed that of the 44 fired cartridge cases recovered from the scene, 26 were from the 9 mm CZ Scorpion Evo firearm that Aplasca used.

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), left Senate protective custody hours after the shooting. — VDV, GMA News