OMBUDSMAN SUSPENDS SENATE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS AFTER MAY 13 SHOOTING

Ombudsman Boying Remulla has ordered the six-month preventive suspension without pay of acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca over the May 13 gunfire incident at the Senate.

Aplasca admitted firing the first “warning shot” during the confrontation involving Senate security personnel and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents near the GSIS building in Pasay City.

Conflicting accounts remain over who initiated the shooting, with government officials saying the NBI agents identified themselves while Aplasca insisted they ignored verbal warnings and failed to coordinate with Senate security.

The NBI clarified that its agents were deployed to the GSIS building for security purposes and not to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the incident could have been avoided if proper coordination and communication had taken place between both sides.

Source: PhilNews24 | May 16, 2026