The Tamesis
May 20, 2026
Manila – “All evidence indicates the Senate was not attacked.”
That’s what Interior and Local Government Minister Jonvic Remulla said on Tuesday, six days after a “gun-related incident” took place in the Senate.
During a press conference at the White House, Remulla insisted that agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) did not set foot on the Senate floor on May 13, but were only in the Government Services Insurance System (GSIS) building next to the Legislative Chamber.
“For the record, all evidence shows there was not an attack on the Senate. I want to repeat – all evidence shows there was no attack on the Senate,” he declared.
The Senate Building is adjacent to the GSIS Building, both located within the GSIS Complex.
Remulla’s statement supported the palace’s earlier assertion that the Senate was never attacked, contrasting with claims by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Why does GSIS have NBI agents?
Remulla explained that GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso sought the NBI’s help to “strengthen security” at GSIS premises after Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa asked his supporters to hold a prayer vigil at the Senate floor.
Veloso made the request to protect billions of pesos worth of art and other valuables inside the GSIS in case tensions escalate in the nearby Senate.
“GSIS has billions of pesos worth of art displayed on its walls. If too many people go to GSIS, the damage will be incredible,” the secretary said.
“So, he [Veloso] They found it best to close the door so that there would be no disturbance inside the GSIS building,” he narrated.
As for why Veloso sought assistance from the NBI instead of the Philippine National Police, Remulla said the Senate was already guarded by police personnel and Veloso thought it would be more prudent to seek help from the NBI.
The minister said 29 NBI agents arrived at the GSIS premises and inspected the outdoor canteen corridor leading to the Kalayaan Garden.
The Secretary of State said that 29 National Bureau of Investigation agents have arrived at the GSIS location.
“Please note that none of the NBI agents were carrying tactical gear. They were dressed like NBI agents, clearly identified and in place, but none of them were carrying tactical gear,” Remulla said, referring to closed-circuit television footage shown at the briefing.
At 7:02 p.m., 27 NBI agents left the area, with two remaining.
“There were two NBI agents left there. Agents Darwin Francisco and Antonio de Leon. So, you can see, there were two guys there, they were wearing NBI uniforms and they just had a chair by the stairs,” Remulla said.
At 7:02 p.m., 27 NBI agents left the GSIS building, with two remaining.
Remulla said that at about 7:44 p.m., Acting Senate Sergeant at Arms Mao Aplasca summoned personnel from the Sergeant Major’s Office, including the Philippine National Police and Marines, and “gave the order to lock and load,” a customary term for preparing a gun to fire.
“So, following his orders, you can see the Marines cocking their guns, so they’re locked and loaded. After that [that]he walked towards the corridor leading to the entrance of the NBI. [agents] That was the way it used to be,” he recounted.
From 7:46 to 7:49 p.m., “thick smoke and possible gunfire” were seen on CCTV footage during the standoff between NBI agents and Senate security.
Covering Fire, “Do Not Engage”
Remulla noted that it was Sergeant Mau Apraska who first fired three shots near the NBI agents, noting that the shots were not fired directly at the agents.
“He fired covering fire because he was being shot at. Covering fire, mind you, because he felt he was under attack,” he said.
“Covering fire” refers to firing into a threat area to suppress an opponent so that other officers can move or take position safely.
Remulla said the covering fire was not directed at the Senate.
“At this time, the officer in charge instructed the agents to ‘Do not engage, do not engage.'” So they retreated; he was waiting for them. He reiterated that it was not gunshots and the instructions were ‘do not engage’,” he said.
A total of 44 spent cartridges were recovered following the shooting. Remulla said authorities could not yet determine whether the incident was staged. /apl /Mr.
