The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has characterized the actions of the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) personnel as “overkill” after ballistic examinations revealed they fired the vast majority of the shots during the May 13 gunfire incident.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame on Friday, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II disclosed that 39 out of the 44 spent shells recovered from the scene were traced back to three firearms issued to Senate security.
When pressed to evaluate the volume of gunfire initiated by the legislative security team, Morico did not mince words.
“The OSAA fired excessively over there, even though no one was attacking them. I can say that is overkill.”
Forensic analysis showed that 26 fired cartridge cases originated from a single 9mm CZ Scorpion Evo3 S1 Pistol Caliber Carbine registered to the OSAA. Investigators believe this weapon was utilized by a high-ranking official.
“We presume that the 9mm CZ Scorpion Evo, its holder, and the 26 shots that came out of the gun came from Mao Aplasca,” Morico said. “That’s why I am appealing to the Senate security to please appear [per our subpoena], especially Sir Mao Aplasca, to shed light.”
The CIDG issued subpoenas to several Senate personnel last Tuesday. However, the Senate leadership requested an extension, noting that Aplasca has since been suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman, while Senate Secretary Mark Mendoza has resigned from his post.
The remaining OSAA ballistics were linked to two other personnel: four spent cartridges were traced to another 9mm CZ Scorpion Evo3 S1 held by Joemil Ledesma, and nine shells were matched to a caliber .40 S&W Jericho 941PL IWI pistol assigned to Charlie Montilla.
In contrast, only five spent cartridges were linked to the caliber 5.56 rifle held by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent Darwin Francisco.
The physical evidence was distributed across the crime scene, with investigators recovering 27 pieces of 9mm shells and nine pieces of caliber .40mm shells inside the Senate complex. Outside the gates, authorities found three 9mm shells and the five 5.56mm casings attributed to the NBI.
The shootout reportedly stemmed from high political anxieties. Amid rumors regarding the impending arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Aplasca noticed an NBI agent stationed outside the building on the night of May 13.
According to Morico, Aplasca verbally confronted the agent before firing three initial shots at him, sparking the chaotic exchange of gunfire.
The CIDG has already recommended to the Department of Justice that Aplasca, Ledesma, and Montilla face charges for violating Republic Act No. 11917, or the Private Security Services Industry Act, for discharging their weapons “without provocation.”
Morico confirmed on Friday that no such charges are being recommended against the NBI agent, Francisco, who appears to have fired in self-defense.