Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

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/1779263055445704507185_1511079577733960_4412639993971061268_n (2).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that prior to the Senate shooting incident, Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca ordered Marines and OSAA personnel to assemble and issued a “lock-and-load” directive<em>. Senate CCTV via RTVM</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will recommend the filing of charges before the Department of Justice against suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca and two other Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) personnel over last week’s shooting incident at the Senate.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/20/cctv-shows-dela-rosa-padilla-leaving-senate-after-may-13-gunfire-1353">CCTV shows Dela Rosa, Padilla leaving Senate after May 13 gunfire</a></div><p>In a press briefing Wednesday, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said the OSAA’s use of firearms falls under the coverage of the Private Security Services Industry Act.</p><p>Morico said the law outlines six levels that must first be observed before the use of lethal force.</p><p>“May anim na stages na kailangan muna nilang i-observe bago ang paggamit ng lethal force. Hindi kasama sa Republic Act [11917] na ito ang paggamit ng warning shot. Even sa PNP, hindi kami ina-allow na magkaroon ng warning shot,” he said.</p><p>CCTV footage reviewed by investigators showed Aplasca, who was wearing full tactical gear, firing the first shot at an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during the confrontation at the Senate premises.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/20/-suspended-aplasca-surrenders-firearm-linked-to-senate-gunfire-incident-1310">Aplasca maintains Senate was under attack, surrenders firearm</a></div><p>Based on the CIDG’s findings, Morico said the OSAA personnel failed to exhaust all levels under the force continuum before discharging their firearms.</p><p>“The usage of their firearms cannot be justified due to the absence of imminent danger and self-defense or defense of strangers,” he said.</p><p>The CIDG also said there was no unlawful aggression on the part of the NBI agents, who were only positioned outside the Senate premises when they were confronted by OSAA personnel.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/18/palace-senate-was-not-under-attack-1226">Palace: Senate ‘was not under attack’</a></div><p>Morico said the recommendation to file charges still needs the approval of PNP chief Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. before it can be endorsed to the DOJ.</p><p>The CIDG chief also confirmed that Aplasca had surrendered his firearm through his lawyers and that the weapon is now undergoing ballistic examination.</p><p>“Lawyers were sent yesterday and ni-receive namin ‘yung baril. But personally, hindi pa dumating dito si Aplasca or any other OSAA personnel,” Morico said.</p><p>Morico added that investigators were able to speak with Aplasca on May 13 and had secured affidavits admitting that shots were fired during the incident.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>OFFICIAL REPORT</strong></div><p>Senators, meanwhile, are choosing to wait for an official report regarding the shooting.</p><p>&quot;These are all press con, Powerpoint presentations,&quot; said Sen. Win Gatchalian. &quot;Importante [ang] official report. Plus, these are just preliminary findings. I would rather be prudent, dahil very emotional ang issue na ito.&quot;</p><p>The Senate will also have its own investigation, said Sen. Erwin Tulfo. -- <strong>with a report from Darylle Sarmiento, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/><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/IT__LW5hnsk?&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/dS2lPnNNANg?&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/__Pts1t_0Lw?&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/57uCM4QTbt0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Based on the CIDG’s findings, OSAA personnel failed to exhaust all levels under the force continuum before discharging their firearms.</p>

Based on the CIDG’s findings, OSAA personnel failed to exhaust all levels under the force continuum before discharging their firearms.

CIDG to recommend charges vs Aplasca, OSAA officers over 'unjustified' Senate shooting

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CIDG to recommend charges vs Aplasca, OSAA officers over 'unjustified' Senate shooting

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 20, 2026 03:48 PM PHT

|

Updated May 20, 2026 11:20 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

CIDG

probe

shooting incident

Senate

OSAA

NBI

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