Senate was not under attack —Malacañang

Following the shooting incident at the Senate last week, Malacañang on Monday stood firm that the chamber was “not under attack.”

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said this in a press conference, responding to a statement by Senator Imee Marcos, who earlier expressed concern over the “alleged siege and firing of shots" by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents.

“Senate siege? Was it under attack? It was not. The Senate was not under attack. You can see that from the news, not only from the statements of the NBI and PNP (Philippine National Police). It was only the statement made by Senator Alan Cayetano,” Castro said.

“So, as far as we are concerned, as far as the government is concerned, the Senate was never under attack,” she added.

Castro said that this was also the position of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

She, however, refrained from answering whether the Palace thinks the shootout was staged.

“I cannot say anything about that. I cannot make a judgment if it is staged, orchestrated, planned. But you can assess that from the reports also made by some journalists, some reporters. So, kayo na po ang mag-assess (assess it yourselves),” she said.

The shooting incident at the Senate happened last Wednesday, amid the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in connection with his role in the war on drugs of the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Imee Marcos earlier asked her brother, the President, to suspend three NBI officials, including Director Melvin Matibag, over the shooting incident at the Senate.

The Palace has maintained that there were no lapses on the part of the NBI.

“There was no failure on the part of the NBI agents. Hinarang sila (they were blocked),” Castro said.

The President earlier said the government was not behind the shooting incident. He also denied giving instructions to arrest Dela Rosa. —AOL, GMA News