Wife, lawyer of detained NBI ‘volunteer’ barred from entering Senate

MANILA, Philippines — The wife and lawyer of a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) “volunteer” who was reportedly detained inside the Senate on Thursday tried but failed to enter the premises in a bid to inquire about his condition.

The volunteer was reportedly arrested after gunshots were heard inside the Senate’s second floor while Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa was staying inside the upper chamber’s premises after his warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court came out.

Earlier, Sen. Imee Marcos said an NBI “confidential agent” was arrested by the Senate sergeant-at-arms on the second floor.

READ: No TRO for Bato Dela Rosa – Supreme Court

According to Marcos, this agent said they were ordered to go to the Senate and arrest Dela Rosa “by all means (anuman ang mangyari).”

However, it is not yet clear if the NBI “agent” referred to by Marcos and the “volunteer” are the same.

READ: Gunshots heard at Senate where Dela Rosa is holed up; gov’t forces deny role

The colleague of the 44-year old male NBI “volunteer” informed them of his detention, according to his wife, who requested not to be identified.

Lawyer Paolo Nieto said they are still unaware of the circumstance regarding the reported arrest.

“We’ve heard that he was arrested. We still don’t know why he was arrested, and what the surrounding circumstances were, so we’re here to learn what happened,” Nieto said in an ambush interview at the Senate’s gate.

Nieto said the guards neither confirm nor deny whether his client, whose identity he requested to be withheld, is indeed detained inside.

“Unfortunately, they denied us entrance, and we cannot force our way into the Senate premises,” he also said.

The lawyer said they will come back the next day to gather more information.

The NBI and the police said the gunshots did not come from their ranks. /cb