The Department of Justice (DOJ) declared on Wednesday that its preliminary investigation yielded no evidence indicating the Senate building was under attack during the shooting incident on May 13.
During a press briefing, Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida stated that a special panel of prosecutors reviewed the incident and determined that the tactical response by the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) was unwarranted.
“The action taken by the OSAA against the NBI on May 13, 2026 was not justified. Second, the Senate building was not under attack on the night of May 13, 2026,” Vida said.
The Justice chief also issued a warning regarding the escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
He noted that individuals who allegedly assisted the senator in evading National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents—who were attempting to serve an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant—could face criminal charges.
“Third, the NBI attempted to implement the arrest warrant to Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa. And fourth, when the ICC warrant was unsealed on May 11, 2026 and made public, any person who helped him escape may be held liable,” Vida told reporters.
According to Vida, the DOJ is actively gathering additional evidence. The scope of the current probe covers all activities that occurred within the Senate complex from May 11 to May 14.
The special prosecution panel was officially formed on May 15 to conduct a comprehensive case build-up regarding the tense four-day standoff.