The events that unfolded at the Senate grounds on May 13 had me sitting and watching live feeds more than I usually need to: this is both the good and the bad of the present.
Live video feeds are great for credible media coverage that seek to show us what is unfolding, with whatever facts are available at that moment. Even with TV and radio, live coverage will have a particular audience that wants to know what is going on, even if undestanding it usually takes a while, given the multiple things happening beyond what a camera can capture. But media pieces these things together for us, given what information they have, and even as they go and try to get answers to questions that were left hanging — this has always been what credible media has done for the public. (It is also what pseudo-media content creators cannot do, even when they are given access to Malacañang and government events as the Rodrigo Duterte government did.)
Now, the Senators, going live on their Facebook pages — that part’s new, isn’t it? For whatever reason, for this particular incident, the newly-self-installed Duterte Senate majority’s impulse was to go live on their Facebook pages after they hear shots being fired. This is why they cannot fault any of us for wondering about what really happened here. There was nothing normal about Senators going live on Facebook after an incident like this one, as opposed to, say, waiting for security to declare the whole building as safe, step out with dignity from the Office of the Senate President, and tell the people what they know so far about the incident.
Instead, what we got was a particular way of framing the incident. APCayetano’s “the Senate is under attack” and Imee Marcos’s “Senate siege”, while they were in darkness inside the Office of the SP was in stark contrast with the bright lights right outside, in the halls of the Senate, where the Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms and other Senate security simply asked media to move farther away from where the shots were being fired, and the media scrambled to find hiding places while figuring out what was happening. While the Mark Villar said they were “trapped” — we were seeing movement right outside.
The impulse to do a timeline was borne precisely of this stark difference between how the Duterte Senate majority was framing the incident, and what it was we were actually seeing, thanks to credible media practitioners. Because you know what fear looks like, and it is in those members of the media who were experiencing this first hand, with no protections, right at the other end of the hallway where shots were being fired. The Duterte Senators, meanwhile, were framing the gunshots as “an attack” or a “siege” while also bringing into the discussion the articles of impeachment being delivered (the Senate majority were “told” it was being delivered that’s why they were there), the flood control cases (“flood control na naman ba?” asked Imee Marcos), and saying that “some” people were told to leave but they were left there (according to Cayetano, Legarda and the Senate Secretary received warnings about “magkakagulo diyan”; and that their team saw the staff of other minority senators leaving). All those additional … things … just don’t make this purportedly “trapped” majority any more credible than they were on Monday, when they decided to harbour a fugitive-Senator and take over the Senate that was set to receive the Vice President’s Articles of Impeachment.
And even with the timeline, here are more questions:
- The Sergeant-At-Arms Mao Aplasca says consistently that he had asked permission from Cayetano to “check” on the presence of the armed NBI on the GSIS side. Soon after, the media sees Aplasca talking to the marines while being prepped with a bullet proof vest and a long firearm. Nagkasahan pa ng baril. Soon after, gunshots are fired. Why was Cayetano surprised about the gunfire, when his own appointee into the OSAA had said he was going to “check it out”, and Cayetano himself gave permission for that “check”?
- The gunshots were heard from 7:46 to 7:49 PM according to the OSAA incident report. Imee Marcos first went live at 8:04, Cayetano went live at 8:06. That is a long twenty minutes during which time the Senate President was not being updated about what exactly had happened with Aplasca “checking” on the NBI agent.
- On that first FB Live, Cayetano claimed that there could be an “active shooter” that’s why all the lights in their office were turned off. But elsewhere in that building, right outside his office, the lights were on — as media coverage tells us. Whose framing was “active shooter”? And why frame it as such, 20 minutes after the shots are fired, during which time any self-respecting Senate President would’ve expected an update from Senate security about what exactly had happened to the “check” he agreed to?
- Soon after the gunshots, Robin Padilla is seen walking calmly down the same halls by reporter Victoria Tulad. She runs after him to the stairs, and asks him what happened. He just kept telling her that it was “delikado dito” “huwag kayo dito”. Where did Padilla come from, and where was he going? Cayetano was saying there was “an active shooter” and the “senate is under attack”, and Marcos was saying there’s a “senate siege” — but here you had a Senator just walking calmly on the floor where the shots were fired, and moving towards the higher floors, too. That’s certainly not following protocols, yes?
- At 4:36 in the afternoon, Aplasca says there is no lockdown, no new or higher alert status. At 5:23, Bato announces on FB Live that he has heard that there are NBI and CIDG agents about to arrive at the Senate ready to arrest him, and calls for people to come and rally around the Senate. Between 7:07 and 7:13, Aplasca declares a lockdown of the Senate and that he was going to arrest somebody. Note that what both Aplasca and Cayetano now say is that permission was given Aplasca to “check” on the NBI agent on the GSIS side — not an arrest, not a lockdown. But both were declared by Aplasca to the media.
- Aplasca had said there were no threats as of 4:36. Bato’s FB Live about being arrested happened at 5:23. The NBI arrived at the GSIS compound on the request of the GSIS, at past 6:00. Lockdown and arrest were announced by Aplasca between 7:07 to 7:13. Is it possible that Bato, framing the afternoon in an impending arrest, actually also framed the NBI presence as such? Deliberately, of course, the better to get people to come out and do a “prayer rally” for him.
- At 7:22 the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte were delivered by the House of the Representatives to the Senate, while the Senate building was on lockdown, and as Aplasca was preparing to arrest someone. This seems uncanny, doesn’t it? If there was a lockdown, and there was imminent danger (such as an attack or a siege), why were the Articles of Impeachment put at such risk by the Senate? Were the House of Representatives told about the “dangers” at all, given that they were being expected (as per the Cayetano dynasty siblings) by the Duterte Senate Majority?
Tomorrow should be exciting. Meanwhile, whoever was in charge for the mess the past week — from the Senate takeover of the Duterte majority to the Robin Padilla ka-macho-han versus Kiko Pangilinan, to the Senate shooting — has to start rethinking that strategy. Because there was absolutely no credibility gained for the Duterte 13 here. If at all, we all now know that an impeachment court with these people leading it, will not be impartial. After all, if these thirteen will move hell and high water for a fugitive like Bato dela Rosa, imagine what they will do for Sara Duterte.
Shots Fired at the Senate: A Timeline
4:36, ABSCBN News, Victoria Tulad. Media talking to Sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca. “We are still in the elevated alert status because of the rally outside. <wala pong binago sa alert status?> Wala naman po. We just closed the main gate because of the rally outside. <re NBI arrest?> Wala pang tawag sa’min.”
5:08 PM, NBI receives letter from GSIS requesting for security, John Consulta of GMA News. In light of the activity currently taking place within the Senate of the Philippines / GSIS premises, we respectfully request the deployment of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel to assist in maintaining peace, order, and security in the area.” Letter is signed by President and General Manager of GSIS Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso, addressed to NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
5:09 PM, DILG Sec Remulla’s text message to GMA News. the NBI had “no warrant to serve” and that GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso requested the NBI to secure the Senate building.
5:23 PM, Bato does a live video. Transcribed as posted on News 5 Facebook Reels: Meron po tayong natanggap na impormasyon na pagkatapos ng aming session ngayong araw na ito, meron nang mga operatiba ng NBI at CIDG na pupunta rito para tayo ay arestuhin. Ako po ay nananawagan sa inyo, sana tulungan niyo ako. Huwag po tayong papayag na another Filipino ay dadalhin sa The Hague pangalawa kay Pangulong Duterte. Ako po ay nananawagan sa inyo na sana pumunta kayo dito, tulungan niyo kami, magvigil tayo dito sa harapan ng Senado. Ako po’y nakikiusap sa inyo, kung kayo po’y meron pang puso para sa ating bansa.
5:45 PM, posted 5:55 PM, ABSCBN News. “The door leading to the helipad on the 6th floor of the Senate building was closed. Senate employees said that access is normally allowed on other days, but the area was closed today.” | via Darylle Sarmiento
5:57 PM, One News. “NBI NOT ALLOWED IN SENATE. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms retired Maj. Gen. Mao Aplasca clarified that personnel of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will not be allowed to enter or execute any arrest inside the Senate premises if the only basis is a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). | via Mon Gualvez
Past 6:00 PM, GMA News Facebook Page. NBI arrives at the GSIS compound.
Past 6:00 PM, Zyann Ambrosio report for TV Patrol, posted 12:40AM, May 15. Pasado alas-sais ng gabi nang pumasok ang NBI agents sa opisina ng GSIS, na katabi ng Senate complex at pader lang ang pagitan. Nakasama ang ilang miyembro ng media sa pagpasok. Inikot at ininspeksyon ng agents and ilang lugar sa GSIS office na konektado o may access sa Senado. Napunta kami sa isang palapag na may nakitang nagdi-drill sa isa sa mga lagusan na konektado sa Senado. Pinuntahan din ang GSIS gate. Dito tanaw at nakunan ko ang ilang sundalo na papasok sa Senado.
“Pero sa puntong ito, biglang tumakbo ang mga NBI agent sa direksyon kung saan narinig ang putok ng baril. Kasama ng ibang agent at miyembro ng media, tinangka naming lumabas sa opisina, pero muli naming narinig ang mga putok. Sinabihan ng NBI ang media na mag-take cover. Nauwi ako sa isang sulok ng opisina sa GSIS kung saan rinig pa rin ang putok ng mga baril. Sa puntong ito nakapag-report pa ‘ko sa TV Patrol para masabi ang nangyayari. Ilang minuto kami nanatili sa aming puwesto at hindi alam ang gagawin at kung paano kami makakalabas. Pero matapos huminto ang mga putukan, saka lang nakalabas ang mga NBI agent at miyembro ng news team, at nauwi sa parking lot ng GSIS. Kung saan hinintay namin kung ano ang opisyal na pahayag sa mga nangyari. Pero sa mga oras na ‘yon, walang opisyal na nagsalita on record kung ano ang nangyari doon sa area. Ilang minuto pa umalis na rin ang NBI sa lugar.”
7:07, ABSCBN News, Victoria Tulad. Acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca says they will arrest someone, but refused to identify the person.
Aplasca says they will enforce a total lockdown of the Senate in five minutes. | via Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN New
7:13 GMA News Live Feed, Mark Salazar. Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Mao Aplasca tells media: “We are going to arrest somebody. How can we do the operation with you? Clear the area. Ibalik mo na sila do’n kasi we can’t do our job eh.”
7:17 PM, News5, Breaking News. Dela Rosa is followed by media as he leaves the office of the Senate President, accompanied by Senate Sgt-at-Arms, and gets on the elevator to go down to the ground floor.
“May mga nakasalubong na tayong mga pulis sa loob mismo ng premises ng Senado. Ang pumasok sa elevator ay si Senator Bato dela Rosa. Pero sabi sa’tin, hindi siya bumaba rito.” | Meann Los Baños
7:17 PM, GMA News, 24 Oras, Mark Salazar. Crawler: Senate Sergeant-At-Arms: “We are going to arrest somebody.”
7:22 PM, Articles of impeachment transmitted to the Senate, PNA.gov.ph. House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil delivers to the Senate the articles of impeachment of Sara Duterte. Senate Secretary Mark Leandro Mendoza receives it.
No time, Aplasca, in an interview with Mel Tiangco, May 14. “Pumunta po kami do’n sa area, na kung saan merong sighting yung NBI agents. Nagpaalam po ako kay Senate President para icheck po at iverify yung reports na merong mga armadong NBI agents na nandyan sa second floor exit. At ah nung nandon na po kami sa area, naconfirm po namin at nakita po namin ‘yung mga tao na armado kaya as part of our procedure, ay chinallenge po namin siya, verbal challenge po, ‘yung amin pong procedure na continuous use of force, kaya unang-una verbal warning. So chinallenge ko kung sino sila. Sumagot naman na sila ay NBI agents. Pero nung sinabi namin bakit kayo armado, ibaba niyo mga baril niyo, instead of lowering down their firearm, tinaas po namin, kaya nagpaputok po kami ng warning shot.”
Pasado 7:30 ng gabi. Gio Robles, News5,OnePH. Via Sa Totoo lang, May 14. “Sa isang bahagi ng ground floor ng GSIS building pinapasok ang mga ahente ng NBI sa isang hallway patungo sa isang nakasarang pinto, matapos makarinig ng walang tigil na kalansing at ugong ng drilling machine pasado alas-siete y media kagabi. Nang makalapit ang mga ahente ng NBI, naabutan nila ang ilang kalalakihan na binabarena ang pinto na lagusan pala papasok ng Senado. Napagalamang trabahante pala ng GSIS ang mga lalaki. Sinusubukan raw nilang isara ang pinto. Ilang minuto ang nakalipas, dito na kami nakarinig ng sunud-sunod na putok. Nasa gusali pa rin kami noon ng GSIS kasama ang mga ahente ng NBI. Kahit ang mga ahente, hindi alam kung saan galing ang putok. Ilang saglit pa umalingawngaw ang sunud-sunod na putok.
Napatago ang ilang ahente ng NBI na pinaputukan pa umano, ngunit hindi maintindihan kung saang direksyon galing. <Sir Flash, ‘wag daw i-engage>
Sa puntong ‘yong nanatili pa rin kami sa gusali ng GSIS, hanggang sa nakasalubong namin ang iba pang ahente na nakadeploy din sa gusali. Sabi ng isa sa kanila, mismong si Senate Sergeant at arms Mao Aplasca ang unang nagpaputok.
<Kayo pinaputukan Ser?> NBI: OO, si Aplasca mismo unang pumutok ng tatlo, paatras. Nag-cover ako.
<Sa ano kayo Ser diba …> NBI: Doon sa opisina ni Legarda.
<Sa canteen?> NBI: Oo. Dito sla lumabas sa may ano … katabing pintuan kay Legarda.
Ayon sa NBI Agent, nasa bridgeway sila ng ikalawang palapag ng GSIS building nang biglang paputukan siya mismo ni Aplasca, nang lumabas ito sa isang pintuan mula sa Senado.
NBI: Siya nauna, ta’s naka mahaba siya.
“Dito na raw napilitan ang NBI agent na gumanti ng putok bilang self-defense. Walang nasaktan sa tropa ng NBI at mga kasamang media kabilang ang News 5.”
7:35 PM, GMA News, Live Feed. “UPDATE: May mga dumating na armadong uniformed personnel sa loob ng Senado ngayong gabi, May 13, 2026 ngunit hindi pa malinaw ang dahilan ng kanilang pagpunta. | via Sandra Aguinaldo/GMA News”
News 5 (no time): Senate Sergeant at Arms Mao Aplasca seen wearing bullet proof vest facing uniformed personnel. All carrying long firearms. At some point they all kasa their firearms. They walk past the media, to the end of the hallway filled with mannequins for a fashion exhibit. Media heard on video: “General Mao, bakit nagsusuot ng bullet proof?” “Photo op please!” “Nagkakasa ng mga baril.” “Ser ano na pong nangyayari?”
The media is being told not to follow and are kept at the end of the hallway. Shots are heard and chaos ensues. Video reposted by Millennials Voice.
Posted 7:45 PM by GMA News. Itinaas sa heightened alert at pansamantalang isinailalim sa lockdown ang Senado matapos ang ulat na may planong arestuhin muli si Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa kaugnay ng kinahaharap nitong ICC arrest warrant.
Ayon kay acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, magla-lockdown ang Senado ngunit tumanggi siyang magbigay ng iba pang detalye tungkol sa operasyon. Nakitaan din ng mabibigat na seguridad at mga armadong tauhan ng Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms sa paligid ng gusali habang nananatiling mataas ang tensyon sa Senado. | via Ian Cruz/GMA News
7:45 PM, OSAA incident report, via GMA News Online. “OSAA personnel and members of the Quick Reaction Team inspected the exit area of the Senate’s second floor. During the ocular inspection, one of the OSAA personnel looked through a window and observed two men wearing black bulletproof vests with visible NBI markings.
“The OSAA’ s incident report, stated that they challenged the unidentified individuals, saying, “Sino yan?! (Who is that?!)” A loud male voice from outside replied, “NBI!”
“Meanwhile, the OSAA report stated that one of the armed individuals was seen raising and aiming a long firearm in the direction of the OSAA, QRT, and PNP personnel.
“Aplasca then ordered the armed individual to lower his firearm, but the individual allegedly failed to comply and instead “assumed a tactical position.”
“This prompted the Senate sergeant-at-arms to discharge warning shots, which was followed by an exchange of gunfire from 7:46 p.m. to 7:49 p.m. After the firefight, OSAA and PNP personnel cleared and controlled the entire second floor area of the Senate.”
According to Remulla this is what happened (still via GMA News Online): “A certain agent Francisco was sitting on the second floor bridgeway with a security guard when Aplasca called his attention and said, “Sino ka (Who are you)?”
“The agent stood up, with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle on a sling. Aplasca allegedly immediately fired a warning shot, while the agent also pulled the trigger with the gun nozzle pointed upwards.
“According to Remulla’s text message, OSAA personnel “eventually discharged 27 rounds of 9 mm and .40” while the NBI agent discharged five rounds, and “immediately fled the scene after.”
7:46 PM, according to later report by News 5: “Sinabi ni Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla na sapilitan umanong sinubukan ng mga armadong indibidwal na pumasok sa ikalawang palapag ng Senate building bandang 7:46 p.m. nitong Miyerkules, May 13. Ayon kay Remulla, hinarangan ng Senate Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) personnel ang pagpasok ng mga ito at nagpaputok ng warning shots, ngunit sumagot umano ng continuous gunfire ang armadong grupo. Hindi pa tukoy ang pagkakakilanlan at motibo ng mga armadong indibidwal, ayon sa mga awtoridad. Hindi rin alam kung konektado sila sa anumang official security unit. Walang naitalang casualty sa panig ng OSAA, police, o military personnel. Hindi pa nakukumpirma kung mayroon sa kabilang grupo. I via One News
Posted 7:48 PM by GMA News: Drilling sounds heard at the door on the ground floor of the Senate. OSAA staff says the door will lead to the property of the GSIS. | via Sundy Locus/GMA News Online
7:47-7:51 PM, GMA News Live Feed, 24 Oras, Marisol Abduraman and Ian Cruz. Marisol Abduraman: “Nakarinig tayo ng sunud-sunod na pagputok. May naka-full battle gear na marines, PNP, at saka ang mga Senate security. Pinapa-atras tayo.”
Ian Cruz: “Sa mga sandaling ito ay naririnig namin ang mga putukan dito. Hindi namin alam kung kanino nanggagaling ang putukan. Talagang matindi ang nangyayari. Emil nagtatakbuhan kami kasi malakas ang mga putok dito sa second floor. At dito wala na tayong nakikitang ilaw, emergency light na lamang ang gumagana ngayon.
“Emil, may nakikita tayong taga-Senate Sergeant at Arms, tapos may mga naka-camouflage, na bumabaril dito. Pero babaril, tapos biglang hihinto. Ganon ang nangyayari dito, at mataas ang emosyon. At siyempre nakahawak lahat sa baril even yung mga naka-perimeter dito.
“Sa ngayon ang nakikita lang namin, yung pagitan ng GSIS at Senado, doon ‘yung point kung saan nanggagaling yung burst.”
No time, Victoria Tulad live on ABSCBN News. Interview with Karen Davila the day after: “You were the one who went live, where you caught Senator Robin Padilla, calmly walking, across the halls of the second floor, leading up to the staircase, he didn’t even use the elevator. What transpired with your conversation?”
Victoria: “We asked Sen Padilla what was happening, if he could give us any information, and where Sen Bato dela Rosa was. But he didn’t answer that. Ang sabi lang niya, delikado dito, huwag kayo dito. We were at the stairwell. And he was telling us that it was dangerous and that we shouldn’t be there. He calmly repeated those words to us and then went up the stairs, hindi natin alam kung saan siya nagpunta. He was very calm during the incident. And he couldn’t give us much information, Karen.”
7:58 PM, OSSA incident report via GMA News Online. The NBI agents fled the scene.
8:04, Imee Marcos Facebook Live. Ayan o. Hala pumapasok na silang lahat, ano ba yan. Bakit nagkakaputukan sa Senado, hindi na ‘to normal, ano ba naman ‘to, talaga bang dadakipin na kami lahat, bakit kami pinagbababaril dito sa labas, habang kami ay mapayapang nagko-caucus.
8:06 PM, Alan Peter Cayetano, Live Facebook Broadcast via GMA News. Ok so si Senator Loren and Senator Pia finally got in touch with the NBI Director. Si Senator Pia and Senator Loren called the NBI director, wala daw sila dito dahil pinaalis sila dito. So we said please find out what’s happening kasi nagpuputukan, sabi niya wala daw silang magagawa dahil pinaalis, and then he started saying huwag kami magtaas ng boses … what will you do director kung may putukan na at lahat ng staff mo at ang OSAA mo nakavest na lahat, and hindi malaman mangyayari. What would you do? Hindi ba dapat sagot mo “ma’am ser, I’ll go there, I’ll help”
Pia Cayetano (screaming): That’s what I was expecting him to say. When Senator Loren was talking to him very calmly, I said “what are you gonna do about this, pinuputukan na kami dito. Sabi niya “di kami makalapit, pinaalis niyo kami diyan.” Sabi ko: “Do your job! Make us safe! This is not good!” “Ma’am ‘wag mo ‘ko sigawan.” Yun lang ba masasabi mo sa’kin? Pinuputukan kami, sasabihin mo sa’kin huwag kitang sigawan? Sumisigaw ako dahil mataas ang emotions …
Alan Peter: I’ll give everyone context ha. Four Senators got tips, 30 minutes ago, while we were talking, na umalis na dito kasi may mangyayari. ‘Yung isa kapwa senador, yung isa kung sinu-sino nagsabi. So the emotions are high here, because bakit kami paalisin, eh we’re waiting for the articles of impeachment
Pia: … Na sinabi na darating na …
Alan Peter: … and we were having a meeting… na sinabi nilang darating na. So, again, kung sino nakikinig from the government. This is the Senate of the Philippines. We are allegedly under attack. The Sergeant at Arms has confirmed na may putukan na dito. So please kung sinong nanonood, sinong nakikinig. We expect na ‘yung tatawagan namin would understand the emotions here and will say we’ll do something about it.
8:18 PM, Alan Peter Cayetano, via GMA News. Nananawagan po kami sa lahat po ng mga nakikinig ngayon, I’m in the Senate with the other senators, we were having a caucus, nabalitaan po namin na allegedly may mga taga-NBI na gustong pumasok, nakita na nagbabarena ng pinto, ng walls, galing do’n sa GSIS side. So we have our security here, nagpapasalamat kami sa PNP, outside and inside meron, nandito ang marines, pero ito po ang emergency, nagkaputukan na po, may report ako from the sergeant at arms, NBI is denying na tao nila, pero nagkaputukan na, we don’t know what is happening. We cannot secure our other staff. Senator Bato, Senator ano are together. Walang sumasagot from the government from us, this is the Senate of the Philippines. This is the Senate of the Philippines, may putukan na po dito. So sa lahat ng nakikinig: DND, DILG, what is happening, NBI, what is happening. Why are we under attack here. I don’t know what is happening, I don’t know if I can keep my people safe here. I am willing to go out, I am willing to face anyone who is going to serve the warrant, I told you you are welcome to serve, but do not do this. So please help us. Please let us know what is happening here. I will repeat po. Kinonfirm ng ating sergeant of arms na nagkaputukan na po. Many Senators here have the numbers of the AFP Chief of Staff, etc we are trying to get in touch. So far po nagpeperform yung marines dito, yung OSAA, yung pulis sa labas. But inside the building we don’t know what is happening. I’m sorry we have to do it this way, hindi po namin alam kung anong nangyayari. I’m relying on your prayers po, and I’m relying kung may nakikinig from government, what is happening po dito sa Senado.
We have received the article of impeachment po. It is here. We are having a caucus how we will address that. So why is this happening, and bakit may putukan dito. Please someone respond, call us, let us know what’s happening.
8:26 PM, GMA News, Breaking News: “Senate Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said no one was hurt after gunshots rang out at the Senate hallway on Wednesday evening. | via Sundy Locus/GMA News Online”
8:28 PM, Frontline Pilipinas. DILG Sec Remulla arrives at the Senate.
8:32 PM, Victoria Tulad reports for ABS-CBN News. Nandito pa rin tayo sa second floor ng Senado, kung saan nagkaroon ng putukan kanina. Kakararating lang ni DILG Sec Jonvic Remulla at pumasok siya sa opisina ni Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. Ang sabi niya hindi PNP ang nasa likod ng putukan, 100% ang instruction niya ay to stand down. Hindi pa siya nakapagbigay sa’tin ng impormasyon, makikipagusap muna siya kay Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Ang sabi naman kanina ni Senate Secretary Mark Leandro Mendoza ay may mga nakapasok dito na indibidiwal na sa tingin nila ay mga tauhan ng NBI. Sila raw yung mga unang nagpaputok kaya nagretaliate lamang ‘yung security ng Senado, at nagkaroon nga ng sunud-suno na putukan, dito sa bahaging ito ng second floor ng Senado. Doon sa madilim na bahaging ‘yon. Na hanggang sa ngayon ay patay pa rin ang ilaw rito, para hindi ma-compromise ‘yung kanilang ongoing operation dahil posible raw na nandyan pa rin ‘yung mga taga-NBI.
8:43 PM, GMA News. Remulla enters the Senate, walks to the office of the Senate President.
8:35 PM, Bato lawyer, Israelito Torreon releases videos on his Facebook page, no timestamps, purportedly of what the outside of the Senate looked like before the shooting incident. A man’s voice claims that those seen in the video are NBI agents with flashlights. On the second video a man is heard saying: “dalawa yatang armado o, may mga radyo pa.”
8:37 PM, Senate Sec Dong Mendoza, via TV5. “Merong alleged na agents ng NBI, <na nakapasok?> galing sila sa kabila. Hindi pa ma-verify. Perceived NBI agents, naka-uniform sila, nagtangka silang pumasok mula sa kabila. Nag-retreat sila. Nagpaputok. <wala na sila sa building?> Oo, secured naman ang area. Definitely nakapasok sila sa building. Dumaan sila sa GSIS building. Wala pang assessment kung may natamaan o wala. Nung nakita sila ng team natin, na-alert sila, nakita nila na nakabantay team natin, so nagpaputok sila. Hindi namin alam kung bakit sila pumasok.”
8:49 PM, Bong Go, via GMA News. “Kasama po natin ang ibang Senador ngayong gabing ito. Kanina po nagkaputukan po sa second floor. Update lang po sa inyo. Ipagdasal niyo po kami rito sa Senado. Na ‘di magkagulo at walang masaktan, nanawagan po ako sa ating mga kababayan na manatili ang kapayapaan po sa Senado. Dito po kami habang may pinatawag na meeting ang leadership ng Senado, at may narinig kami sa second floor kanina. Ipagdasal niyo po kami dito sa Senado.”
8:55 PM, Ian Cruz, GMA News. Media being made to leave the premises.
8:56 PM, Alan Peter Cayetano Facebook Live, via GMA News. “Anyone who has information on what happened, anyone na nakakita dun sa mga nag-attempt pumasok, at bumaril pabalik, please send us that information. Napakaimportante that the truth comes out, and napakimportante we don’t jump into conclusions. I told everyone dumating yung articles of impeachment, we don’t want any speculation that this has any connection with anything whether it’s the senate majority whether it’s the articles of impeachment, politics, personal dito. This is the first time na nakaramdam ng ganito sa Senado.”
9:04, Imee Marcos, via GMA News. “So nandito kami, at nagsisiksikan kami sa isang maliit at madilim na sulok sa kuwarto ng SP, habang nagpuputukan pa rin sa gilid at nagtutulukan, pagkat na pilit na pumapasok yung NBI at kanilang mga kasamahan na may mahahabang baril na dala-dala, at pinagsuot na nga ako ng bullet proof ng aking security. Ganon pa man hindi tama itong nangyayari. Kung nais nila dakipin si Senator Bato, hindi nila dapat ipinsala ang institusyon ng Senado, ang building ng Senado, at ang mga Senador. Hindi po tama itong nangyayari at nananawagan kami sa mga opisyal, kung kayo ay busy, o may ginagawa o kung anu-ano pa, puwede ba tulungan niyo kami rito, nagpapasaklolo na ang mga Senador ng ating republika.”
9:11, Mark Villar, via GMA News. “Trapped pa rin kami sa Senate, almost two hours na yata. Tumigil na ‘yung gunfire, pero kanina ang lakas ng putukan sa loob. Nag-blackout kami pinatay namin ang mga ilaw. Grabe talaga ‘yung nangyari kanina. But okay naman kami ngayon. Medyo nagnonormalize na, narito kami kasama ang lahat ng Senador, pati ang kapatid ko na si Camille. We’re safe, and please pray for us.”
9:21, Alan Peter Cayetano speaking with Jonvic Remulla, Imee Marcos FB Live. “Vince called saying the same thing, I said I believe you, you’re my friend, Vince was saying it might be an inside whatever job. Sabi ko lang: Vince, independent investigation. But I just want you to know, when we were meeting here two hours ago, there were some staff pulling out, and our staff here umiikot eh, they told our other staff of the other senators, pull out may mangyayari. And even our deputy secretary, we will tell you who she is, she got the same text (the same instructions), and she told yung kausap niya, I can’t leave we’re waiting for the articles of impeachment. So if it was an inside job on our side, from the 13, we wouldn’t have been receiving, just to …
9:59, Remulla via TV5, to reporters outside of the Senate: At approximately 7:46, armed men tried to enter through the second floor but were stopped by the OSAA. They had firearms with them, but the OSAA fired the warning shots. They retreated to the back, but then started firing indiscriminately into the air.
9:32 PM, GMA 7 News Bulletin, Melvin Matibag: Sila ang nandoon sa senado sila ang mas makakapagbigay ng linaw. Tinawagan ako tapos sinabi may NBI daw do’n na pinapuputukan sila. Ang problema po niyan ay wala naman po kaming dineploy do’n at wala naman pong utos na aarestuhin si Senator Bato. Katunayan nakiusap po ako sa inyong reporter na puntahan kami dito sa Sequoia Hotel dahil may planning po kami dito mula pa kaninang umaga, at lahat po ng opisyal mula po sa akin, deputy dir, unit heads, regional directors, nandito po kami for three-day planning. Panahon na po ng fellowship nang makatanggap ako ng tawag galing kay Senator Loren, na paalisin ko raw po ang mga agent ng NBI. Sabi ko wala kaming agent diyan. Sigurado ako wala kaming tao na nandiyan sa loob ng Senado.
Ang nakikita ko lang ah ay may mga kalalakihan hindi naman marines, naka-long-firearms po. May nagbabarena po. Sa Facebook ko rin lang nakikita.
Question: (Emil Sumangil) Sinabi po ni Senator Alan Peter Cayetano na umangkas raw diumano yung mga ahente ng NBI sa sasakyan ng media, at nagpanggap na mamamahayag, para ipenetrate ang Senate Building.
Walang po kaming ganon na operation. Wala pong ganoong utos sa amin. Ang sinasabi ko nga po, there will be an inter-agency collaboration po, may meeting pa, bago magkaroon ng decision kung talagang magi-implement ng warrant. At sabi ko nga po, may supreme court case at tinitingnan din natin ang desisyon niyan.
9:37 PM, Imee Marcos FB Live. Karamihan ng mga Senador nag-akyatan para bisitahin si Bato kung okay pa rin siya, dahil kami’y nagtataka, at nagdatingan yung mga opisyal, kada isa kanina, hindi sumasagot sa amin, deny to death sila, sabi nilang lahat na talagang wala silang kinalaman, nagumpisa sa ating PNP, dumating si Jonvic Remulla wala rin siyang kinalaman, ganon din ang NBI deadma rin, lahat sila walang alam pero putukan, tuluy-tuloy. Ganon din kinausap ko si Presidente Bongbong, sabi din hindi naman daw niya utos ‘yon, bakit daw nagkaganon, andito pa kami, kanina pa kami narito, pero talagang walang umaamin, walang may alam, lahat sila gulatan, di ko maintindihan. Nako. Nagkakaputukan na rito sa inyong Senado, amoy usok na sa lahat ng sulok, ‘di namin mahanap ang aming kapwa Senador, at hindi kami makapaglabasan. Eh eto ang sabi nila, deny to death.
Pero ang sabi ng NBI agents, inutusan daw sila personally and directly ni BBM arrest Bato at all cost kahit sino pa ang mamatay, kahit sino pa ang madali, basta pasukuin si Bato, ngayon din. Kaya’t di na namin maintindihan kung ano ang totoo, at kung bakit nagkaroon ng Senate seige.
10:03 PM, Imee Marcos FB Live. Ok ngayon bibistahin ko muna itong opisina ko, hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sa ating mga tauhan, kasi kanina nagputukan, patay lahat ng ilaw, ngayon lang ako naka-akyat eh! Grabe yung nangyari dito, bakit naman ‘yung Senado di ko akalain na mangyayari ‘to, dito sa Senate ng Republika ng Pilipinas, ganito na lang ang turing nila sa amin, at ang balita, palibhasa lahat sila nagdedeny, ang next daw na sasabihin ay gawa-gawa lang namin ‘to para mahawakan ang liderato ng Senado, at pagtakpan ang impeachment. Ano ba naman kalokohan ‘to. ‘Eto na nga at nagtatago kami sa barilan, putukan, at seige sa Senado, sasabihin pa na gawa-gawa daw namin, kasi lahat sila deny to death, walang nag-utos, na lusubin ang Senado, walang may kinalaman, wala ang talagang manangot. Eto na naman tayo, flood control na naman ba?
10:27 PM, GMA News. SOCO arrives at the Senate to process crime scene.
10:42 PM, Imee Marcos live on Facebook while press briefing with media is happening with DILG Sec Jonvic Remulla and Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano: “O, nandito tayo nagpepresscon sila, naku alin ba dito ang paniniwalaan namin, talaga naman lahat deny to death. Sino nagutos na lusubin ang Senado, lahat sila hugas kamay, lahat sila ayaw sumagot ng tawag namin nung nagpuputukan. Sa hulo’t dulo nito, hindi ako magtataka, kapag sinisi ang mga Senador na nagpaandar, nagpasabog, ng kung ano, para lang lihisin ang pag-aresto kay Bato at impeachment. Nako, ‘eto na naman tayo, flood control na naman.”
10:44 PM, Imee Marcos Live on Facebook. Caption: “SENATE SIEGE!”
Transcript: Ang nabalitaan ko mula sa aking mga empleyado at ating mga abogado sa opisina namin, sina Senator Gatchalian at Zubiri nagvavacate na daw ng premises nila. Kaya nagtataka kami, alam ba nila ang mangyayari? Kasi kami nagka-caucus at inaabangan ‘yung pagdating ng mga articles of impeachment, kasi determinado kami na mag-convene kaagad, para walang masabi ‘yung tao na pinagtatakpan o dinedelay, gustung-gusto namin na tanggapin na ‘yung articles of impeachment. Andun kami mahinahon na naka-caucus pinaguusapan kung ano ang dapat gawin, eh biglang ang balita, pati daw si Rules Secretary si Mavic Garcia, nakatanggap rin ng abiso na “umalis ka na diyan magkakagulo” eh bakit alam nila, diyan ako nagtataka. Ang balita si Senator Loren nakatanggap din ng abiso, pero ayaw niya maniwala, ayaw niya kami iwanan. Nagtataka ako kung bakit ‘yung iba, pinagsabihan, ibig sabihin, may nakakaalam, meron ding naiwan tulad namin dun sa putukan, sa mausok, at talagang kinandado kami do’n. Kaya nagtataka ako sino kaya ang nagutos na lusubin ang Senado, na may apat na nakakaalam, ngunit kami walang kamalay-malay.
10:48 PM, Imee Marcos Live on Facebook. “Nagkakagulo pa rin kami dito, kasi ang balita, may nahuli na isang NBI, na confidential agent, na binalikan yung kanyang bag na naiwan sa hagdan ng second floor kung saan nagmula ang putukan. Ngayon ‘yung tao na nahuli, pinangalanan ‘yung NBI boss niya, si Atty. Pomediano ng NBI Transnational Crime, kung sinuman siya, siya raw ang nag-order sa kanila na lusubin yung Senado, at dakipin si Senator Bato, ano man ang mangyari at sino man ang masaktan. Kaya eto nga, Atty. Pomediano, sana ipaliwanag mo kung paano ito nangyari na sinugod, linusob ang Senado, at nagkaputukan sa amin dito sa mga Senador ng ating republika, hindi ito dapat nangyayari sa Pilipinas, higit sa lahat sa institusyon ng Senado.”
11:15 PM, Imee captions Facebook photo post. “Hindi natin hahayaang isuko ang ating kapwa Pilipino sa kamay ng mga dayuhan. Para sa ating soberanya, mananatili tayong matatag at hindi matitinag sa gitna ng anumang gulo o panggigipit. Sa mga nag-alala, ligtas po kami! Salamat sa inyong mga panalangin.”
12:51 AM: Bato lawyer posts video with Bato at the SOCO site crime scene.
May 14 2026
1:11 AM, Bato lawyer posts on Facebook, with photos: “May mga nagasabi na diversion tactic lang daw yung putukan para makaalis sa Senado si Senator Dela Rosa, eh ipost nga natin ito bi para matigil na yang mga kwento na yan. Nagpapasalamat po kami kay Allah (swt) na safe po kami nila Senator Ronald De la Rosa at mga staff niya patı na rin mga kasama ko na mga abogado na şina Atty Jimmy Bondoc, Atty Jabo Celaje and Atty Anna Alvarez. Safe din yung mga ibang Senators at mga staff nila. Alhamdullilah!”
2:30 AM, Dela Rosa leaves the Senate with Padilla.
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