OSAA fired first warning shot at Senate complex—Malacañang
The first warning shot fired inside the Senate building on May 13 night came from the upper chamber's Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, according to Malacañang.
In a joint press briefing with the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation on May 14, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that there were no operations to arrest Sen. Bato dela Rosa, who sought refuge in the Senate after the International Criminal Court confirmed an arrest warrant against him.
NBI agents at the GSIS Pasay building, which is near the Senate office, saw that OSAA personnel were geared up. According to Castro, after the agents introduced themselves as members of the NBI, the first gunshots were fired.
“Nang magsabi sila ng pagkakakilanlan, agad nagpaputok ng warning shot si Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, at dahil doon, napilitan ding magpaputok ng warning shot ang NBI agent,” Castro said.
"After mag-warning shot, doon na po nagkaroon ng maraming pagputok na galing sa OSAA tapos 'yung ating pong NBI agent, umalis na po sa lugar, tumakbo na po," NBI Director Melvin Matibag added.
Matibag furthered that six warning shots came from the NBI agent.
Meanwhile, PNP Chief Gen. Melencio Nartatez said that not less than 30 shots were fired during the incident.
"It will be quantified doon sa CCTVs as well as empty shells recovered during SOCO operations," he said.
Suspect not an official NBI employee
On Thursday, the Southern Police District identified the suspect in the shooting incident as 44-year-old Mel Oragon, who is said to be a driver working for the NBI.
Matibag said that Oragon is a volunteer who came with the NBI agents as a driver.
"Officially, he is not a member or employee of the NBI," the director said. "Sa operation namin, meron talagang tinatawag na force multiplier o volunteer."
Chief of the PNP Public Information Office PBGen. Randulf Tuaño, in another press briefing, said that Oragon was found in possession of live ammunition, including an M16 and magazines.
According to Tuañao, Oragon is currently under inquest and faces at least five charges, including violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, alarm and scandal, grave threats, direct assault, and violation of the Senate's security regulations.
Why were NBI agents at GSIS?
Matibag has previously explained that NBI agents were at the GSIS property at the request of General Manager Wick Veloso to assess the perimeter's security.
On Wednesday night, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that he instructed the NBI to leave the Senate premises after the Supreme Court issued a resolution seeking comment from key government officials on dela Rosa's plea for a temporary restraining order on his arrest warrant.
"Waang pumasok na tiga-labas na sundalo, na militar, na NBI sa Senado," Marcos said.
Matibag clarified that there were no NBI agents at the Senate building, but instead, they were on the GSIS side, following Veloso's request.
He also explained that the drilling near the Senate-GSIS boundary was done to secure the area.
"From the Senate going to GSIS, 'yung susi po, ang report sa akin ni GM Veloso is nandoon po sa Senate. Ang gusto po niya, isara 'yung lugar na yun kasi nga labas-masok na raw ang iba't ibang tao, hindi na po ma-secure 'yung lugar at 'yung mga employees. So 'yun primary concern niya," Matibag said.
After the drilling, the door was bolted and blocked with steel cabinets.
Multiple gunshots sent senators into hiding in their offices late Wednesday. The dramatic scene unfolded as Dela Rosa—former president Rodrigo Duterte's top enforcer during his bloody drug war—holed up in the Senate complex to dodge arrest and transfer to the Netherlands over alleged crimes against humanity.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla told reporters that there were no casualties.
Dela Rosa was reported safe on Wednesday evening. As of May 14, a member of the Senate Secretariat confirmed that he is no longer within the Senate premises. Matibag said that they have yet to validate the report on dela Rosa's whereabouts.