Senator Ronald dela Rosa is still inside the Senate building following the shooting incident on Wednesday night, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday morning.

“Mismong si [PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.] na po ang nagsabi nang sila po ay umalis sa Senate po, mga halos mga alas dos na po ito, may dalawang senador na lang po ang naiwan doon sa Senate,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. himself said that when they left the Senate, it was almost two o'clock, there were only two senators left in the Senate.)

“Kasama po doon si Senator Bato dela Rosa,” he added.

(Senator Bato dela Rosa was there.)

NBI Driver

Meanwhile, a driver employed at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been arrested in relation to the shooting.

The suspect, identified only by his alias “Mel Oragon,” was described as a 44-year-old Filipino male employed as a driver at the NBI, according to a police report obtained by GMA News Online from the Southern Police District (SPD).

Authorities conducted a security sweep and investigation after gunshots were reported at the Senate premises amid the possible arrest of Dela Rosa who is facing a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Tuaño said the PNP immediately ordered the deployment of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), and investigators to secure the area and gather evidence.

Among the items recovered were M16 rifle magazines and spent bullet shells, which were turned over to forensic personnel for examination. Police have yet to determine the exact number of bullet slugs recovered.

The investigation is being led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Pasay City Police, with assistance from the PNP Forensic Group.

Initial findings

Tuaño said initial findings indicated that personnel from the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) assigned at the Senate were not the ones who fired the shots.

He added that three security groups were present at the Senate complex during the incident: the PSPG, the Philippine Marines, and Senate security personnel.

The PNP said it expects to release initial findings from the investigation, including forensic results and CCTV backtracking, within the day.

Senate operations have returned to normal while security inspections continue to ensure the safety of the premises, according to Tuaño.

(With reports from Joviland Rita, GMA News)