Ombudsman asks for Senate media list over May 13 shooting incident
By Dhel Nazario
At A Glance
- The Office of the Ombudsman requested the Senate's Public Relations and Information Bureau to submit records of media personnel present during the May 13 shooting incident and lockdown at the Senate complex.
- The OMB specifically asked for the names of reporters and media workers who were inside the premises, along with logbook entries showing their time of entry and exit.
- The request forms part of a fact-finding investigation into the armed confrontation inside the Senate, with the agency assuring that all submitted information would be treated confidentially.
The Office of the Ombudsman has requested the Senate’s Public Relations and Information Bureau (PRIB) to submit records related to media personnel present during the May 13 shooting incident inside the Senate.
Philippine National Police personnel pass through a cordon leading to the Senate session hall in Pasay City following the May 13 shooting incident. Security forces tightened access as investigators continued their probe. (Photo by Mark Balmores)
In a letter dated May 15 addressed to PRIB Director Michael Caber, the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Bureau-Luzon said the request forms part of its fact-finding investigation into the incident that led to the lockdown of the Senate from May 13 to May 14.
The Ombudsman specifically requested a list of media personnel who were inside the Senate premises during the incident, as well as logbook entries showing their time of entry and exit.
It also asked the Senate office to provide a sworn certification should the requested documents be unavailable. The agency said digital or scanned copies may be submitted electronically and assured that all information provided would be treated with “utmost confidentiality.”
The letter was signed by Maria Melinda S. Mananghaya-Henson.
The shooting incident occurred on May 13 between members of the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) and operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Acting Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca has already been placed under preventive suspension without pay for six months, effective immediately, by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.