MANILA — Panic and tension gripped the Senate complex on Wednesday night after gunshots suddenly erupted, prompting a lockdown and the arrest of a man identified by police as an alleged driver connected to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The incident unfolded amid already heightened tensions surrounding the reported attempt to serve an International Criminal Court warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, further intensifying security concerns inside and around the Senate premises.
Police identified the suspect only through the alias “Mel Oragon,” 44, who was described in an initial report from the Southern Police District (SPD) as an NBI driver.
Investigators said the suspect allegedly fired several shots from an undetermined caliber firearm at around 7:50 p.m. within the Senate compound, causing alarm among senators, employees, media personnel, and security forces stationed in the area.
Members of the Senate Security Detachment later subdued and arrested the suspect.
Authorities said the suspect could face charges for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, alarms and scandals, grave threats, direct assault, and Senate security regulations.
The suspect also underwent paraffin testing inside the Senate building as part of the ongoing investigation.
Philippine National Police spokesperson Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño confirmed that one individual remains under the custody of the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms while investigators from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Pasay police continue questioning him.
Police have also secured affidavits and witness statements related to the incident.
“May mga pangalan din po siyang binibigay para po ito ay magandang development sapagkat ito po ay subject for verification naman po,” Tuaño said.
Tuaño added that Senate security personnel only returned fire during the confrontation with the suspect.
Authorities confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported.
Forensic operatives from the National Capital Region Forensic Unit and the SPD processed the crime scene and gathered evidence, while bomb disposal and canine units conducted security sweeps around the Senate compound.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag earlier denied reports that NBI agents had been deployed inside the Senate during the incident./PN
