The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recommended filing charges against suspended Acting Chief Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA) Mao Aplasca following the May 13 shooting incident inside the Senate premises.
During a press briefing at Camp Crame, CIDG Director Police Major General Robert Alexander Morico II announced that the agency is endorsing the complaints to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for alleged violations of Republic Act 11917, or the Private Security Services Industry Act, due to improper use of force and a breach of the rules of engagement.
“As directed by SILG and chief PNP, we will be transmitting our findings sa Department of Justice, findings and recommendations. It is up to the Department of Justice to assess ‘yung ano po namin findings namin,” Morico stated.
(As directed by the SILG [Secretary of the Interior and Local Government] and chief PNP, we will be transmitting our findings to the Department of Justice, findings and recommendations. It is up to the Department of Justice to assess our findings.)
According to Morico, the CIDG’s investigation uncovered violations of established protocols under the law’s implementing rules and regulations, specifically regarding the “force continuum”—a graduated response system requiring security personnel to start with alert presence and verbal communication before escalating to firearms.
Authorities also reiterated that warning shots are generally prohibited, particularly in highly populated areas like Metro Manila.
The CIDG director characterized the actions of the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) personnel during the confrontation as “panic firing,” while noting that responding National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents fired back defensively.
“Panic firing, we assume na nilulusob kayo because continuous yung volume of fire. Sumasagot yung NBI ng paputok doon sa labas sa area ng canteen. So, putok din sila ng putok rito, sumasagot din yung NBI ng defensive shot,” Morico explained.
(Panic firing, we assume that you feel under siege because the volume of fire is continuous. The NBI was returning fire outside near the canteen area. So, they kept on firing here, and the NBI also replied with defensive shots.)
Initial findings suggest that OSAA personnel may have triggered the exchange of gunfire, which occurred on the evening of May 13 following a confrontation with NBI agents deployed near the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) premises outside the Senate compound.
A total of 10 OSAA personnel have been subpoenaed by the CIDG, the lead investigative body handling the case, though not all have physically appeared at Camp Crame. Aplasca has surrendered his 9mm Scorpion pistol, which is currently undergoing ballistic and forensic examination.
The Office of the Ombudsman has placed Aplasca under a six-month suspension without pay while the fact-finding investigation into the incident continues.