As a result of the crossfire incident at the Senate last Wednesday.
On Friday, May 15, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that his office has issued a six-month suspension without pay to Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca.
Remulla told that this move aims to let the Ombudsman move freely in its investigation into the gunfighting incident within the premises of the Senate last Wednesday, May 14.
This will also make it “easier” for the office to get to the bottom of the matter, with Remulla adding, “Hindi tayo puwede maglagay ng tao na maaring maka-impluwensya sa mga bagay na kailangan nating mabungkal.”
The Ombudsman also confirmed that the investigation will look into the the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) — whose agents are said to be on the other side of the crossfire — and the Philippine National Police (PNP), which also had personnel in the area.
All those forces were there as rumors floated on Wednesday that Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa would be arrested in connection with his warrant from the International Criminal Court, which was not served to him until his disappearance hours later after the incident.
Meanwhile, Aplasca, who is a former police general, earlier admitted that the OSAA was the first to fire a “warning shot” when spotted an NBI agent allegedly went to the Senate premises.
In response, the NBI noted that agents were on the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) part of the complex following a request from the state insurer’s management to secure its side of the building.
“‘Yung papaputukan mo, law enforcement? Ano ‘yun, mas mataas ba siya sa law enforcement?” Remulla questioned the action made by Aplasca, who should be enforcing Senate rules.
Remulla also said subpoenas will be issued to everyone present before and during the incident at the Senate, with the Ombudsman also requesting affidavits and footages from members of the media to shed light on the matter.
He also said tha subpoena for the Senate’s CCTV footage was also sent to establish a clearer timeline of what transpired.
“Sana naman ay walang nawawala na footage,” Remulla said. “Sana naman walang coverup dito.”
Meanwhile, Remulla also said those involved in the gunfire incident, as well as those who allegedly helped Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa from leaving the Senate building on Thursday could face legal charges.
He noted the list include possible obstruction of justice, failure to maintain public order and safety, aiding and abetting a criminal or fugitive from justice, and gross neglect of duty.
Remulla also said to Dela Rosa that he must face the allegations against him at a proper venue.
“Anong klaseng tao yan? Ganyan ba dapat maging senador natin? Tumatakbo sa batas? Is that the hero we want to portray… Flight is an indication of guilt,” he said.
In light of the of the said event, meanwhile, Ombudsman Remulla said his office will also talk to senators.