By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a man in connection with Wednesday night’s shooting incident inside the Senate building in Pasay City.
At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño identified the suspect as alias “Mel Oragon,” 44, a native of Camarines Norte.
“He was caught, in his possession, what we call live ammunition of M15 and magazine and based on that he was inquested and will be charged with at least five cases,” he said.
Tuaño declined to confirm reports linking Oragon to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“Confirmed ‘yung pangalan niya. As to his alleged employment, ang sinasabi nga natin, within the day maglalabas ang PNP ng official na pahayag kaugnay ng kanyang kaugnayan niya sa ibang ahensya (His name is confirmed. As for his alleged employment, we are saying that within the day the PNP will issue an official statement regarding his employment with other agencies),” he said.
Tuaño said the PNP Directorate for Intelligence and the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management were ordered to conduct background checks on Oragon.
Authorities recovered spent shells, magazines and personal belongings from the scene. However, investigators have yet to determine who initiated the shooting.
Tuaño said three armed groups were present during the incident: the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) and the Philippine Marines.
The PSPG was part of the established security contingent in and around the Senate premises.
10 individuals tracked
Tuaño said investigators are also tracking at least 10 individuals linked to the incident.
“Sa initial report natin, hindi lang naman nag-iisa yung indibidwal na nahuli. Diumano hindi bababa sa 10 na indibidwal ‘yung nakita nila (From our initial report, the arrested individual was not alone. Not less than 10 individuals are being looked into by investigators),” he said.
“Tinitignan nila kung ito bang mga more-or-less na 10 indibidwal kung ito ba ay kasama sa grupo o ito’y mga empleyado dahil sa dami ng tao (Investigators are looking into whether these 10 individuals were part of the group or employees because there were so many people),” he added.
Asked if authorities had identified the shooter, Tuaño said: “Ipa-paraffin test lahat ng mga indibidwal na nandoon kaugnay lalo na yung sa OSAA, sa Marines at sa PSPG (All the individuals there will undergo a paraffin test, especially the personnel of OSAA, the Marines and the PSPG).”
A paraffin test detects gunshot residue on a person’s hands to determine whether they recently fired a gun.
Reinforced security
Meanwhile, the PNP said it reinforced security measures at the Senate complex following a reported assault on the vehicle of Sen. Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III by unruly protesters on Wednesday.
PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. expressed concern over the security breach amid tensions surrounding reports of efforts to arrest Sen. Ronald dela Rosa in connection with an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over his alleged role in the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised by Senator Tito Sotto. The Philippine National Police maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any form of violence or harassment, especially against our public servants,” Nartatez said in a statement.
He said the PNP is reviewing security footage and ground reports to identify possible lapses.
The incident occurred as Sotto was leaving the Senate premises alone and without bodyguards. Protesters allegedly surrounded his vehicle, banged on the windows, threw bottles and shouted insults.
The demonstrations were linked to heightened political tensions surrounding the ICC investigation involving Dela Rosa.
“While we respect the right to peaceful assembly, the transition from a protest to an assault on a vehicle is a criminal act. We assure the Senator and the public that this incident will not be taken lightly,” Nartatez said.
He added that authorities were identifying individuals who allegedly turned the protest into a disorderly mob.
The PNP is coordinating with Senate security to strengthen crowd-control measures.
Nartatez also ordered a review of CCTV footage and police body camera recordings to determine whether protesters committed criminal acts, including intimidation and property damage. (PNA)
