PNP probes if Senate shooting was staged; forensics to determine truth

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has revealed it is examining all possible angles surrounding the gunfire incident at the Senate on Wednesday night — including whether the entire event was staged or manufactured.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño clarified that authorities are not making conclusions yet, but are thoroughly investigating questions raised by their own investigation unit regarding unusual details in how the shots were fired. “Hindi po natin sinasabi na stage o hindi yung nasabi pong pangyayari… Kasama po lahat ng angulo na matatanggap po ng PNP,” Tuaño emphasized, stressing that nothing is being ruled out as the probe moves forward.

A key point of inquiry comes from the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), which noted that the bullet trajectories recorded at the scene were unusually high — a detail that has raised eyebrows among investigators. Tuaño explained: “Sinasabi nga natin tinitingnan natin yung mga katanungan ng taga‑DIDM na bakit mataas, yung mga trajectory ng bala.”

He added that the true nature and origin of the gunfire — whether it came from within the building or from outside — will only be confirmed once forensic examinations are complete. “Ang makakasagot lang po niyan yung forensic. Malalaman natin iyan sa forensic report kung ito po ay nanggaling sa loob o sa labas,” he said.

As part of the investigation, all personnel present during the incident, including security officers and responding forces, have been ordered to undergo paraffin testing to determine if anyone discharged a firearm. Meanwhile, security in and around the Senate complex has been drastically increased — from an initial deployment of 400 personnel to now 1,400 officers — to prevent further unrest and secure the area.

This comes after police arrested an NBI driver identified only as “Mel Oragon” in connection with the shooting, a development that has added complexity since NBI Director Melvin Matibag earlier stated no agents were deployed there at the time. According to reports from the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant‑at‑Arms (OSAA), its personnel only fired back after the initial shots were heard.

The shooting happened amid extreme tension, as Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa had been staying inside the Senate under protective custody to avoid arrest over an International Criminal Court warrant linked to the previous administration’s war on drugs. In a related development confirmed Thursday, Dela Rosa is no longer inside the premises; Senate secretariat staff said he left as early as 2:30 a.m.

With the senator now gone, investigators are even more determined to uncover whether the gunfire was a genuine security breach or a deliberate act, and what role — if any — the incident played in his sudden departure from the Senate compound.