Manila, Philippines — Exactly one week has passed since the gunfire incident inside the Senate Premises amid the tension on the possible arrest of Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa.
In a Tuesday briefing, the Department of Interior and Local Government and Philippine National Police showed the CCTV footages in the area in time of the incident.
These footages confirmed Senate Sergeant and Arms Mao Aplasca’s earlier admittal that he was the first to open fire, calling it a warning shot.
Based on these footages, authorities argued that the gunfire after the warning shot has no target and can be described as panic firing.
Contrary to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’ claim, DILG secretary Jonvic Remulla maintained that the Senate was not under an attack.
Following the leads and findings in the investigation, PNP-CIDG have recommended to the DOJ the filing of criminal complaints against Aplasca and 2 members of his office.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said that there is no basis for Aplasca to fire, and that it is a violation under Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act 11917, or the of Private Security Services Act.
The IRR stated that there are 6 levels of force continuum and that using a firearm is the last resort.
In this case, Aplasca jumped to level 6 and opened fire just after the verbal challenge which is the 1st level, despite the absence of imminent danger.
Authorities confirmed that the NBI agent fired back away from the Senate, with atleast 5 shots before they regrouped.
The PNP-CIDG is now investigating as well who could have fed Aplasca of the false pretense about NBI’s supposed attack.
Aplasca and the two other officers have surrendered their firearms, despite Aplasca snubbing CIDG’s summons.
Presently, the PNP-CIDG have referred their findings to the DOJ for further investigation.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News