MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday night clarified that the Marines seen inside the Senate were in fact part of the regular security detail following confusions about their presence following the shooting inside the building.
The AFP said the personnel were members of the Marine Security and Escort Group assigned to provide perimeter security at the Senate.
“The soldiers seen inside the building were called by the OSAA (Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms) to assist them in securing the facility,” the AFP said in a statement.
According to the AFP, it maintains an institutional security detail at vital government installations, facilities, and landmarks.
“The soldiers seen inside the building were called by the OSAA to assist them in securing the facility,” the AFP said.
At about past 7 pm, witnesses reported hearing gunshots near the Senate complex as authorities responded to the incident.
The tension stemmed from the supposed arrest of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who has remained inside the Senate amid reports that authorities are set to serve an International Criminal Court warrant tied to his role in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Heavily armed men barged into the Senate’s second floor after OSAA’s announcement that they “will arrest somebody.”
