By Lane Afable, News Editor
The National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday assured that the results of its investigation into the reported shooting incident inside the Senate building on Wednesday night would be made public, including findings on whether the incident was staged or not.
During a Palace press briefing, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau would not draw any conclusions on the commotion that occurred in the Senate pending further investigation.
“Iyan ay bahagi pa ng ating ongoing investigation,” Matibag said when asked whether the probe was pursuing the angle that the incident was staged. “We’d rather not draw a conclusion sa isang ongoing investigation. But rest assured that we have the final result of the investigation ay ipapaalam natin ito sa publiko.”
In a video message after the incident at the Senate building, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appealed for calm as he called for a thorough inquiry.
For his part, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said during the briefing that they are coordinating with the NBI to conduct the investigation and get to the bottom of the case.
He said part of the investigation will be accounting for the armed personnel and identifying the security forces present at the Senate premises and the adjacent area.
“One by one, we are accounting them as well as the usual interview in investigation – nanguna na of course ang ating OSAA (Office of Sergeant-at-Arms) and of course ang ating NBI nandito, and they fully cooperate, especially in the usual investigation,” Nartatez said.
“These statements will be ikukumpara natin sa mga ebidensiya, like for example, physical evidence, the empty shells, lalo na iyong ating CCTV footage.”
As to reports that Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa has already left the Senate, Matibag said they have yet to validate such information, noting they will ask the Senate office of the secretary general and the OSAA for confirmation.
