AFP chief: Marines were on regular Senate guard duty, did not fire shots

MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Thursday, May 14, said no soldier fired a shot inside the Senate on Wednesday night, and that the military has not raised its alert level after the incident.

Gunshots rang out inside the Senate building past 7 p.m. Wednesday. The building went on lockdown, and Marines in camouflage were seen inside before the shots were fired.

Hours before, Sen. Bato dela Rosa uploaded a Facebook video where he claimed he'd be arrested after the Senate session — remarks that up to now have no clear basis, as the president and the Department of Interior and Local Government have both said no operation was underway to arrest him.

Brawner told reporters Thursday that it was the Senate's Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, not the Marines, fired the shots.

"Hindi sila nagpaputok because they were there to support. So, yung OSAA ang nagpaputok," he said. He said the AFP had already spoken with the Marine commander on the ground.

Brawner said the Marines inside the building were from the Marine Security and Escort Group, which is assigned to guard the Senate the same way it guards Congress and other government offices. "Trabaho nila yun to secure the facility," he said. "Parang sa US din, ginaya natin yung US na mga Marines ang nakabantay sa senado nila, kongreso, sa White House."

He stressed the Marines were there to protect the building and not any individual senator.

Brawner said the AFP has not raised any alert and sees no sign so far that the Senate gunfire was part of a destabilization plot.

He also ordered soldiers nationwide to stay out of politics.  

Brawner said he was on his way Thursday morning to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro had already spoken with the president Wednesday night while the AFP battle staff was still trying to determine what happened, he said.

Sen. Bato dela Rosa, who was seeking refuge in the Senate from a standing International Criminal Court warrant of arrest, managed to flee the Senate premises hours after the gunshots were fired and the ensuing confusion.