MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday recommended the filing of charges against suspended Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Mao Aplasca and two others over the controversial Senate shooting last week.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II, CIDG director, was firm that Aplasca and two other Senate security personnel had “no basis” to use their firearms under Republic Act 11917 or the Private Security Services Industry Act.
Morico said the CIDG would be “transmitting our findings to the DOJ (Department of Justice)" for its assessment.
In a press briefing hosted by the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, presented CCTV footage showing Aplasca and two security staff firing the first gun shots on the night of May 13, 2026 after seeing National Bureau of Investigation agents at the Government Service Insurance System premises adjacent to the Senate.
Remulla also debunked Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’s irate remark that the Senate was under attack.
“For the record, all evidence points that there was no attack on the Senate. I would like to repeat, all evidence points that there was no attack on the Senate,” said Remulla.
Remulla also doubted why Aplasca had to gather the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms personnel, as well as Marines and even the police assigned to the Senate in full view of the media and why he did not clear the entire floor if there was indeed an encounter.
Critics claim that shooting was just a "diversionary tactic” for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to “escape” his arrest.
Meanwhile, more OSAA personnel are scheduled to appear before the PNP-CIDG as part of its ongoing investigation.
Among those issued subpoenas were OSAA Officer-in-Charge Manuel Parlade, a Senate CCTV operator, and several other OSAA staff members.
Parlade assumed the role of officer-in-charge following the suspension of Aplasca.
The CIDG subpoenaed on Tuesday former Senate secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza, Aplasca, and other OSAA personnel connected to the case.
