OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla raised concerns on Tuesday whether acting Senate Sergeant‑at‑Arms Mao Aplasca is properly complying with the 60‑day preventive suspension order issued against him in connection with his role in the May 13 Senate shooting incident.
Remulla said he became alarmed after seeing reports that Aplasca was still speaking to the media and performing functions related to his office, prompting him to formally write to Senate President Alan Cayetano to ensure the order is strictly enforced. “We have not yet received a reply from the Senate President. But we expect one. Because we will know if he (Aplasca) is complying with our order or not,” Remulla stated during a press briefing.
The Office of the Ombudsman earlier placed Aplasca under six months of suspension without pay, citing the need for accountability as investigations into the shooting continue. Authorities confirmed that Aplasca himself admitted firing the first warning shot against National Bureau of Investigation agents at the GSIS building.
Ballistics reports from the Philippine National Police further showed that out of 44 cartridge cases recovered from the scene, 26 came from the 9mm CZ Scorpion Evo firearm he used — an action previously described by police investigators as “overkill.” The incident happened shortly before Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, left Senate protective custody.
Remulla clarified that the suspension covers all positions Aplasca currently holds, including his roles as acting Sergeant‑at‑Arms of the Senate and Sergeant‑at‑Arms of the Commission on Appointments.
“Maybe they are trying to go around with it. But the suspension applies whatever his current position,” Remulla emphasized, stressing that no legal loophole can exempt him from the order. As of this report, attempts by news outlets to get Aplasca’s side through the Senate’s public relations office have remained unanswered, while the Ombudsman awaits the Senate’s response to determine if further steps will be taken to enforce compliance.
