Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla firmly stated on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, that no attack took place at the Senate following the gun-related incident that shook the Senate on May 13. During a press briefing in Malacañang, Remulla emphasized that all evidence clearly indicates there was no attack on the Senate building.
No Attack, Says Remulla
“All evidence points that there was no attack on the Senate,” Remulla said. He explained that no National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents entered the Senate building on the day of the incident. According to the official, they were only in the adjacent Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building.
GSIS Requested Security Assistance
Remulla added that GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso sought help from the NBI to strengthen security at GSIS after Senator Ronald dela Rosa encouraged his supporters to hold a prayer vigil at the Senate. The DILG chief stated that GSIS wanted to protect billions of pesos worth of artworks and other valuable items inside their building in case the situation around the Senate escalated.
According to Remulla, 29 NBI agents arrived at the GSIS premises solely to conduct an inspection of the outdoor canteen hallway leading to Kalayaan Garden. He said the agents did not carry tactical gear and were clearly wearing NBI uniforms. Around 7:02 PM, 27 agents left, while two NBI agents remained at the scene.
Senate Security Personnel Ordered to Lock and Load
Meanwhile, Remulla stated that around 7:44 PM, Acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca ordered operatives from the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, including police and Marines, to “lock and load” or prepare their weapons. According to the secretary, CCTV footage shows Marines cocking their weapons before the group proceeded to the hallway where the NBI agents were located.
From 7:46 PM to 7:49 PM, CCTV reportedly captured smoke and possible muzzle fire as tension escalated between Senate security personnel and NBI agents. Remulla also said that Aplasca fired three shots near the NBI agents’ position, but did not directly aim at them. Believing they were under attack, the NBI agents fired “cover fire,” but Remulla clarified that their shots were not directed at the Senate and they were immediately ordered not to retaliate.
The Palace earlier stated that no attack occurred at the Senate, contradicting statements from Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano regarding the incident.
