NBI: No agents deployed to arrest Bato; gunshots not ours

MANILA, Philippines (2nd update: 12:01 a.m.) — The National Bureau of Investigation has denied that its agents fired the gunshots heard at the Senate on Wednesday evening, and said it gave no order to arrest Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.

"Walang baril ang mga tao ko. Hindi kami pumunta doon [to arrest]." NBI Director Melvin Matibag said. ("We didn’t have any guns. We didn’t go there to arrest anyone.”)

He said tonight there was "100%" no order from the NBI to arrest the senator, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his role in former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war.

Speaking to ABS-CBN News in a televised call around 8:30 p.m., Matibag said he and his agents were not at the Senate on Wednesday after being ordered to stand down by "the coordination with all agencies involved."

He said this followed an agreement with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano in the wake of Monday's chaotic chase, when NBI agents pursued Dela Rosa through the building before senators voted to place him under the chamber's protective custody.

"May agreement kami ni Senator Alan na hindi kami papasok," Matibag told ABS-CBN News. (“We had an agreement with Senator Alan that we would not enter.") "At the same time, hangga't walang order from the coordination with all agencies involved, hindi kami eepek ng arrest. Kaya wala kami ngayon doon." ("At the same time, as long as there is no order from coordination with all agencies involved, we will not proceed with an arrest. That’s why we are not there now.”)

Asked about the armed men seen inside the Senate on Wednesday evening, Matibag said they were there at the request of Jose Arnulfo "Wick" Veloso, president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which owns the building the Senate rents.

He said the request by Veloso was to check the security of the perimeter.

"Kanina pa po yon. May request lang po si GM Wick Veloso to check the security of the perimeter," Matibag said. (“That was earlier. GM Wick Veloso simply requested to check the security of the perimeter.”)

He said he told Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Pia Cayetano and Sen. Loren Legarda in a call directly, that NBI agents were not inside the premises, and that he does not know who fired the shots.

"Tumawag si Sen. Loren sakin, ang opening sakin ay paalisin nyo ahente nyo dito, pinapuputukan kami. Pero abi ko wala kaming ahente dyan. pahuli nyo! Tapos nagkataasan ng boses, nakaspeaker pala ako, sabi sakin 'Do your job! Find out sino!" Matibag said.

“Sen. Loren called me. Her opening line to me was, ‘Get your agents out of here, we are being fired upon.’ But I said we don’t have any agents there. ‘Have them arrested!’ Then voices were raised; I was on speakerphone. She told me, ‘Do your job! Find out who it is!’”) 

DILG chief says police not behind gunshots

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla also told reporters at the Senate that the police were not behind the gunshots heard at the Senate premises.

PGen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., chief of the PNP, also said in a chance interview with ABS-CBN News upon entering the Senate premises, that the only police personnel inside are those assigned to the security detail of senators. 

The PNP chief said he is there to investigate the situation. 

Gunfire inside Senate

Multiple gunshots were heard inside the Senate building in Pasay shortly before 8 p.m., according to reporters on the scene. Witnesses said people inside were told to take cover. No casualties have been reported.

Members of the Senate sergeant-at-arms and Philippine Navy personnel were seen entering and checking a room on the second floor at around 7:30 p.m. The lights at the building were later cut. Outside, supporters of Dela Rosa surged toward the Senate gates, and police formed defensive lines around the compound.

In a brief Facebook Live broadcast from inside the building, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said the chamber was "allegedly under attack," citing the sergeant-at-arms' confirmation that shots had been fired. He did not give further details before ending the broadcast.

Source of gunfire. Senate Secretary Mark Mendoza, speaking to reporters during the lockdown, said their team believes the gunfire may have been intended to divert attention after unidentified individuals noticed Senate personnel nearby. 

"Noong nakita sila ng team namin, na-alerto sila. So siguro noong nakita nila na nandoon yung team namin naka-abang, to divert the attention, nag-draw ng fire... They are perceived NBI. Hindi namin alam," Mendoza said. 

Hours later, after an on-site investigation, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the Senate's Sergeant-at-Arms fired the first shot as a "warning shot," which was then followed by unidentified individuals firing shots indiscriminately in the air.

ICC warrant

The crisis traces back to Dela Rosa deciding to hole up in the Senate to evade arrest. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity of murder.

The power grab on Monday came after Dela Rosa reappeared after months of hiding to cast the 13th vote to elect Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday did not issue the temporary restraining order Dela Rosa had sought against his arrest. Shortly after, Dela Rosa posted a video from his Senate office urging supporters to "mobilize" and prevent his handover to The Hague, warning his arrest was imminent.