Senator Raffy Tulfo has filed a Senate resolution directing the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) to undergo comprehensive capacity-building training and to establish a formal operations manual following a recent security standoff inside the legislative building.
In Senate Resolution (SR) No. 402 filed on May 19, Tulfo cited critical operational, coordination, and procedural gaps within the Senate’s internal security framework. The resolution stems from a May 13 confrontation and operational standoff between OSAA personnel and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) within the Senate premises.
The incident reportedly involved lockdown procedures, movement control issues, and a warning shot fired by suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, who claimed the action was necessary to prevent escalation and avert a potential “bloodbath.”
Tulfo emphasized that the chaotic encounter exposed a pressing need for structural reform.
“Reports regarding confusion during the incident, including alleged warning shots, lockdown procedures, movement control, and differing accounts from involved parties, underscore the necessity for clearer operational standards, updated coordination mechanisms, and institutionalized protocols governing interactions between the OSAA and external law enforcement agencies,” Tulfo said.
The regulatory gap was further highlighted by former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III, who explained that Aplasca and the OSAA do not fall under the command and supervision of the PNP, meaning they are not covered by the Revised PNP Operational Procedures Manual.
Tulfo argued that this exemption leaves the Senate’s security force without a clear regulatory blueprint, making a specialized manual necessary.
“It is imperative for the Senate to institutionalize a professionalized operational framework that clearly defines protocols, command responsibility, communication systems, use-of-force guidelines, emergency procedures, evacuation procedures, coordination mechanisms with law enforcement agencies, and standards of conduct for all OSAA personnel,” the lawmaker stressed.
To ensure the long-term professionalism and credibility of the Senate’s security arm, Tulfo’s resolution calls for institutionalized, regular, and specialized training programs for all OSAA staff.
“Regular and specialized training programs, including but not limited to crisis and crowd management, emergency response, de-escalation techniques, parliamentary security management, incident documentation, lawful enforcement coordination, and human rights-based security operations, are necessary to strengthen the capability, professionalism, and credibility of the OSAA,” he added.
Under the proposal, the OSAA will be encouraged to collaborate with constitutional experts, security professionals, emergency response units, and external law enforcement agencies to draft the new operational standards, ensuring they align with public safety principles and constitutional rights.