The Philippine National Police (PNP) has called on the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information online following the tensions at the Senate.
PNP Intensifies Online Monitoring
In a statement, PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced that the police organization has intensified online monitoring. He directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to coordinate with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to track misinformation related to the shooting incident at the Senate Complex on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Nartatez noted that some social media users and content creators are allegedly exploiting the incident to spread fear, incite violence, and mislead the public.
“This is not the time for misinformation and an opportunity to sow fear and incite violence. Rather, this is the time for us to take a stand in fighting for what is right and just,” he said.
Accountability for Misinformation
The top cop assured that individuals found deliberately spreading false or misleading information online will be held accountable. He stated that tighter cyber patrol operations are now being conducted to identify online content that could affect public order and compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigation into the May 13 shooting incident.
According to Nartatez, the PNP remains in close coordination with the DICT, which earlier warned the public against the rapid spread of fake news and unverified claims surrounding the case.
Appeal to the Public
The police official also appealed to the public to rely only on information released by legitimate news organizations and government agencies.
Nartatez said authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances before and during the incident at the Senate complex.
“We ask all our kababayan to refrain from engaging in speculations and remain calm instead as we commit to ferret out the truth about what happened,” Nartatez said.
Incident Details
No casualties were recorded during the incident, which occurred after Senate head retired Major General Mao Aplasca fired “warning shots” against National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents who were at the GSIS building. The building, which houses the Senate, is rented from the GSIS, making the GSIS and Senate offices adjacent.
