The shooting incident at the Senate on May 13 and the subsequent escape of wanted Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa are directly related, according to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Major General Robert Alexander Morico II.
CIDG Confirms Connection
In a press conference at Camp Crame on Thursday, May 28, 2026, Morico ended speculation about the two events, which occurred on the same night. The shooting caused chaos in the Senate, and hours later, Dela Rosa left the complex.
“Let me just say that, you know, two incidents po yun. They’re related,” Morico stated. “But the investigation is already with the DOJ (Department of Justice), and I don’t want to preempt the findings of the Department of Justice.”
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida previously formed a panel of prosecutors to investigate the Senate shooting, which took place amid the looming arrest of Dela Rosa based on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. The probe also includes Dela Rosa’s unexpected return to the Senate on May 11 after a six-month absence and his escape following the shooting.
Dela Rosa returned in time to support the ouster of Senate President Vicente Sotto III and his replacement by Alan Peter Cayetano. Cayetano owned the vehicle used by Dela Rosa to enter the Senate complex.
Protective Custody and Shooting Details
Under Cayetano’s leadership, the Senate placed Dela Rosa under protective custody while he exhausted legal remedies to avoid arrest. On the night of the shooting, Cayetano claimed on social media that the Senate was under attack, a claim later denied by the Philippine National Police (PNP) after their investigation.
The CIDG investigation revealed that Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Mao Aplasca initiated the shooting after spotting National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel in the GSIS building, separated from the Senate building by a wall and a door.
When Dela Rosa returned on May 11, the NBI attempted but failed to arrest him, as the ICC warrant was not yet known. The warrant was unsealed only on the night of his sudden appearance. The shooting investigation has been submitted to the DOJ for proper disposition.
Robin Padilla’s Role
In a separate investigation, the CIDG determined that Dela Rosa’s escape was a highly coordinated and pre-planned logistical maneuver. Dela Rosa left the Senate alongside Senator Robin Padilla.
Morico confirmed that the PNP has referred obstruction of justice charges against at least six individuals, including Padilla, his security personnel, uncle, and cousin. The police official highlighted Padilla’s “indispensable cooperation” in Dela Rosa’s escape.
“It will not happen without him,” Morico said.
Days after the Senate standoff, the Supreme Court ruled on Dela Rosa’s petition, prompting Justice Secretary Vida to issue an order on May 21 for the PNP and NBI to arrest Dela Rosa. On Wednesday, May 27, the CIDG and NBI conducted simultaneous raids on four residential properties in Pampanga, Metro Manila, and Bulacan, but Dela Rosa was not found.
