President Marcos has appealed for sobriety and calm following the shooting incident at the Senate, as Malacañang moved to dispel claims that government forces attempted to storm the chamber or arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

In a video message, Marcos said he had already spoken with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, and both agreed that the public should remain calm while authorities investigate the incident.

“Nakausap ko na si Senate President Alan Cayetano at nag-agree kami. We agree that the thing to do now is to tell our people all to calm down, and we will get to the bottom of this,” he said.

“Kalma lang po. Asahan ninyo ‘yung gobyerno po ninyo hindi gagawin ito (Just stay calm. Rest assured your government would not do this),” he added.

Marcos likewise assured the public that the government was not behind what Cayetano called an “attack” on the Senate.

“Ang masasabi ko lang, at para hindi po mag-aalala ang taong-bayan, hindi po gobyerno ang gumawa nito. Walang pumasok na tiga-labas na sundalo, na militar, na NBI sa Senado (All I can say, so the public will not worry, is that the government did not do this. No outside soldiers, military personnel, or NBI agents entered the Senate),” he said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang stressed that there had been no operation by the NBI or the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assault the Senate or arrest Dela Rosa.

According to reports, GSIS chief Wick Veloso allegedly requested NBI presence near the GSIS compound adjacent to the Senate amid heightened security concerns.

It was reported that the confrontation escalated after Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca allegedly fired a warning shot, prompting an NBI agent stationed near the bridge connecting the GSIS and Senate buildings to return fire.

Authorities said at least 30 shots were reportedly fired during the confrontation, with some bullets allegedly coming from inside Senate premises.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa, who had resurfaced after almost six months, had already left the Senate building at around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, although authorities were still validating his whereabouts.

Senators condemned the violence inside the Senate complex as investigations continued.

Senator Risa Hontiveros described the incident as a “desecration” of the institution.

“Unfortunately, the Senate, the People’s House, the hallowed space where laws are made, and rights are defended, was turned into a shooting range,” Hontiveros said.

Senator Win Gatchalian also called for accountability.

“Mariin kong kinokondena ang insidente ng pamamaril sa loob ng bakuran ng Senado. Dapat agarang matukoy kung sino ang nag-utos at ang mga kasabwat upang mapanagot sila sa ilalim ng batas (I strongly condemn the shooting incident inside the Senate grounds. Those who ordered it and their accomplices must immediately be identified and held accountable under the law),” he said.

No fatalities were immediately reported as authorities continued to gather evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events.