Authorities suspend the head of legislative security as investigation begins on shooting suspect incident

Philippine authorities have suspended the head of a legislative force for firing a gun at law enforcement agents in a recent shooting incident at the upper house of Congress.

Manuel Mogato | May 16, 2026

MANILA — Philippine authorities have suspended the head of a legislative force for firing a gun at law enforcement agents in a recent shooting incident at the upper house of Congress.

Ombudsman Crispin Remulla told a news conference that a retired police general was given a six-month suspension without pay for unjustified discharged of a firearm, initiating a brief firefight that put Senate employees and journalists at risk.

“We do not tolerate that kind of behavior,” Remulla said referring to the retired police general’s actions.

“Is he higher than the law enforcement? He’s supposed to help the Senate maintain the rules of the Senate but to fire a shot on law enforcement, that’s a different discussion.”

No one was hurt in the shooting incident but created panic among people in the Senate building, including some senators.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said the institution was under attack.

However, most of the shots were fired by the Senate’s security personnel.

Mao Aplasca, head of the security force, said they prevented armed men from breaking into the Senate building.

But he knew he was shooting at members of the National Bureau of Investigation staying at the other side of the building.

Melvin Matibag, NBI director, said his agents are only monitoring and gathering intelligence after a senator who was issued an arrest warrant sought sanctuary at the Senate building.

“We have no intention to enforce the arrest warrant until legal issues are resolved at the Supreme Court,” Matibag said.

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa went into hiding six months ago after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity.

Dela Rosa is the co-perpetrator of former President Rodrigo Duterte who was arrested in March 2025. (Also read: Duterte to face trial for crimes against humanity)

Dela Rosa and the head of the Senate security are classmates at the Philippine Military Academy.

The senator disappeared from his office at the Senate hours after the shooting incident.

Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said they are creating a fact-finding panel to get into the bottom of the incident and establish liability for Dela Rosa’s escape from the Senate after the shooting incident.

Vida said the ICC warrant is valid and would arrest Dela Rosa when he tries to leave the country.

The warrant will be enforced once the high court makes a ruling, Vida added.