Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Friday signed a six-month preventive suspension order against Acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, effective immediately, making it the first concrete institutional consequence of the shooting incident that rocked the Senate on the night of Wednesday, May 13.
“I came here to announce that there was a recommendation, and I signed for a six-month preventive suspension of the Acting Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate for what happened the other night,” Remulla said during a press conference Friday afternoon, May 15.
Remulla said the preventive suspension was necessary to prevent Aplasca from influencing the ongoing investigation into the shooting, which the Ombudsman described as a serious matter involving a constitutional institution.
“Hindi natin pwedeng maglagay ng tao na maaaring makaimpluwensya sa mga bagay na kailangan nating mabungkal dito sa Senado,” he said.
The Ombudsman also issued a subpoena for the Senate’s closed-circuit television footage from the night of May 13, directly referencing circulating reports that someone had instructed Senate personnel to keep the CCTV recordings.
“Sana naman ay walang nawawala na footage sapagkat may mga allegations tsaka merong mga nagsasabi, baka tinago na yung mga CCTV footage. Sana naman walang cover-up dito,” Remulla said.
Remulla was unsparing in his assessment of Aplasca’s conduct, saying the Sergeant-at-Arms had no justification for firing at law enforcement personnel and that his action was unforgivable.
“Ikaw unang paputok, ano ‘yun ‘di ba? Sergeant-at-Arms pa, ikaw mag-uumpisa kumbaga sa away, ikaw na ‘tong sumimula. You caused the commotion by discharging a firearm,” Remulla said, adding that Aplasca was also the first to put on a bulletproof vest before the incident—suggesting premeditation.
The Ombudsman said at least three charges are being considered against those found liable: obstruction of justice, failure to maintain public order and safety within Senate premises, and aiding and abetting a criminal or fugitive from justice. “Marami ‘yan, marami. You can throw the book at them. Kasi unforgivable para sa akin,” Remulla said.
Remulla confirmed that the investigation will cover not only Aplasca and the OSAA but also senators who were present during the standoff, including Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is under scrutiny over reports that he instructed Senate personnel to keep the CCTV footage.
“Kasama syempre si Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Kasi nga merong insinuations na sinabi niya na itago yung CCTV. Kung ano ang tono nun, malalaman natin ‘pag may nawala diyan, baka naman siyang mapaghinalaan,” Remulla said.
Senator Robin Padilla was also named as part of the investigation after reports emerged that he was the last person seen with Aplasca on the CCTV footage before the shooting.
Remulla said the Ombudsman has formed an investigation panel that will be complete by end of Friday, with subpoenas to be issued as early as next week covering all parties—senators, OSAA, NBI, PNP, DILG, and media witnesses who were present during the incident.
Remulla also weighed in on Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s departure from the Senate during the shooting chaos, invoking a basic principle of criminal law.
“Flight is an indication of guilt. ‘Di ba, that’s a very basic tenet of criminal law,” he said, adding that dela Rosa—as a former PNP Chief—should have faced the charges against him rather than flee. “Managot kasi yung mga gawain. Sagutin mo. Sabihin mo kung wala ka talagang kasalanan, harapin mo,” Remulla said.
