Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177925326325920260513-senate-secuirty-bato-arrest-aplasca-JC1931 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senate security is on heightened alert amid reports of the imminent service of an arrest warrant against Senator Bato dela Rosa on May 13, 2026. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca insisted that no arrest can be implemented without an order from a local court and an instruction from Senate President Alan Cayetano. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em> <br/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED)</strong> — Retired police general Mao Aplasca, who has been suspended as acting Senate sergeant-at-arms, insisted on Wednesday that the Senate was under attack last May 13 despite findings of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police to the contrary.</p><p>The DILG and PNP announced their findings in a press conference in Malacañang on Tuesday.</p><p>“Yes, we will show you,” Aplasca told reporters.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/19/dilg-chief-all-evidence-points-no-attack-on-senate-1622">DILG chief: &#x27;All evidence points no attack on Senate&#x27; </a></div><p>“It&#x27;s their own version but officially the Senate will answer all of these questions,” Aplasca said. “You saw the videos.”</p><p>Aplasca alleged the videos that authorities showed were spliced to &quot;support their narrative.&quot;</p><p>“We are preparing the complete videos,” he remarked.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/19/all-gunshots-came-from-inside-senate-building-investigations-show-2256">Most gunshots came from inside the Senate building, investigations show</a></div><p>Aplasca refused to say what exactly was spliced and asked for more time for the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms to release its own videos.</p><p>He also denied the statement of the DILG and PNP that he fired three warning shots, saying he only fired one.</p><p>He confirmed having a meeting on May 12 with the Government Service Insurance System but said there was no discussion about the National Bureau of Investigation securing the GSIS building on May 13.</p><p>According to Aplasca, the meeting was about the impending impeachment process and security preparations for it.</p><p>Aplasca has not yet appeared before the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group after lawyers advised him to ask for an extension.</p><p>He assured the public that OSAA is not hiding anything and will submit all evidence, including CCTV footage and firearms.</p><p>He also said the filing of a case against him is expected.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FIREARM</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, the CIDG said Aplasca had surrendered his firearm, which is undergoing ballistic examination at the PNP Crime Laboratory.</p><p>Earlier, CIDG director Police Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II presented CCTV footage showing Aplasca was the first to fire his weapon during the May 13 shooting incident at the Senate.</p><p>The Office of the Ombudsman last week placed Aplasca, the Senate&#x27;s acting sergeant-at-arms, on preventive suspension for six months over the gunfire incident at the chamber last Wednesday night.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/15/ombudsman-places-senate-security-chief-aplasca-on-preventive-suspension-1413">Ombudsman places Senate security chief Aplasca on preventive suspension</a></div><p>Despite his suspension, Aplasca was seen at the Senate premises on Wednesday, May 20. <strong></strong><strong>—With a report from Darylle Sarmiento, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/amceHreZqOc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mkz4ikmOQrs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca has surrendered his firearm to the CIDG, and is now undergoing ballistic examination at the PNP Crime Laboratory.</p>

Suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca has surrendered his firearm to the CIDG, and is now undergoing ballistic examination at the PNP Crime Laboratory.

Aplasca maintains Senate was under attack, surrenders firearm

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Aplasca maintains Senate was under attack, surrenders firearm

Victoria Tulad,

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 20, 2026 01:10 PM PHT

|

Updated May 20, 2026 08:39 PM PHT

Read More:

Senate

Mao Aplasca

CIDG

Senate gunfire incident

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.