Suspect in May 13 Senate shooting identified
The suspect in the shooting incident at the Senate building on the night of Wednesday, May 13 has been named.
As reported by The Philippine STAR on Thursday, May 14, the Southern Police District identified the suspect as 44-year-old Mel Oragon.
Oragon is a driver working for the National Bureau of Investigation, per authorities.
The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.
At least five shots were heard inside the legislative building last night, as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police were seen in the premises. During that time, several senators were still inside, including Dela Rosa.
"We are under attack," Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, an ally of Dela Rosa, said in a livestream on Facebook.
No casualties were reported.
Earlier in the day, Dela Rosa shared he received information he would be arrested after the day's session.
The Senate has been on lockdown since May 11 after NBI agents arrived to serve an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Dela Rosa for alleged crimes against humanity. Cayetano placed Dela Rosa, who showed up at the Senate that day after being absent for six months, under Senate protective custody.
Dela Rosa has remained in the building since then.
The senator served as the PNP chief during former president Rodrigo Duterte's term, allegedly helping him carry out the so-called drug war, for which Duterte is awaiting trial at The Hague. Duterte is charged with three counts of murder as crimes against humanity. Dela Rosa has been identified as one of Duterte's co-perpetrators and is now on the ICC wanted list.
