Cayetano: Senate to discuss NBI chase, gunfire on June 5

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate gunfire and the presence of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) when Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa resurfaced are set to be discussed by the chamber on June 5, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said.

He disclosed the plan during a Facebook livestream on Wednesday.

“On Friday, our Senate colleague, who is always informed and ready and full of wisdom when it comes to the law, has a schedule regarding the DOJ (Department of Justice) and NBI—what happened in the Senate on May 11 and May 13,” he said in Filipino.

However, it was not made clear whether discussions on the incidents would take place in a hearing or a caucus.

READ: DILG, DOJ and PNP present timeline of Senate shooting

On May 11, the same day Cayetano was elected Senate President, Dela Rosa arrived at the session hall, accusing NBI agents of chasing him to effect his arrest and of blocking him from joining the session.

Nine NBI agents were cited in contempt, but after a meeting with NBI Director Melvin Matibag, Cayetano agreed to place the agents under the NBI’s custody.

Two days later, on May 13, personnel from the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms fired warning shots at an NBI agent securing the area, following orders from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

The GSIS is the owner and lessor of the building in Pasay City that has housed the Senate.

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Ma O. Aplasca, who admitted firing the first warning shot, was suspended following the incident. /mcm