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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider One giant leap for accountability: Nartatez lauds fast but thorough PNP probe into Senate gunfire

One giant leap for accountability: Nartatez lauds fast but thorough PNP probe into Senate gunfire

Published May 20, 2026 11:00 am

At A Glance

  • The PNP investigation rejected all claims that the Senate was under attack.
  • The Senate gunfire stemmed from the arrest warrant issued by the ICC for the bloody drug war.
  • The PNP leadership earlier committed to finish the investigation in the soonest possible time without compromising the integrity of the probe and the police as an organization-especially that Dela Rosa is a former boss.
PNP chief gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr turns over to DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida the result of the police investigation into the Senate gunfire incident on May 13, 2026.
PNP chief gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr turns over to DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida the result of the police investigation into the Senate gunfire incident on May 13, 2026.
They came. They promised. They delivered.
And Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), expressed optimism that the fast conduct of police investigation—which was done within a week despite numerous challenges—will serve as the first stage in giving the Filipino people a clear and no-nonsense explanation as to what really happened in the Senate on May 13 in the spirit of truth and accountability.
He said the outcome of the investigation reflects the organization’s broader mandate to uphold truth and accountability, especially in sensitive and high-profile incidents.
“This investigation serves as a testament to the PNP’s commitment to truth and accountability. We do not operate on rumors or political narratives,” said Nartatez.
“Our duty is to the facts, and by adhering strictly to the evidence—such as ballistic trajectories and verified CCTV footage—we uphold the integrity of our mandate to protect the public and ensure that justice is grounded in reality, not fear,” he added.
The PNP took over the investigation on the allegation that the Senate was under attack on May 13 in an attempt by the National Bureau of Investigation to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa was issued with an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) after being tagged as co-perpetrator in the case of crimes against humanity over a drug war that left thousands of people dead, including minors and innocent civilians.
He appeared at the Senate on May 11 in what turned out to be a move to carry out a plan to oust Senate president Tito Sotto. He was holed up in the Senate and was given the opportunity to leave after the Senate gunfire that put the country in bad light in the international community.
Nartatez earlier committed to finish the investigation in the soonest possible time without compromising the integrity of the probe and the police as an organization-especially that Dela Rosa is a former PNP chief.
The PNP investigation later rejected all insinuations that there was an attempt to attack the Senate just to get Dela Rosa.
Nartatez praised the teams behind the investigation for their swift yet thorough work, “I commend our investigators for their unwavering dedication and professionalism in conducting a meticulous, evidence-based inquiry.”
“By prioritizing factual analysis—including ballistics and digital forensics—over speculation, our teams ensured that we provided the Filipino people with clear, objective answers in record time, proving that the PNP remains a highly capable and responsive institution,” he said.
Nartatez stressed that the outcome of the investigation reflects the organization’s broader mandate to uphold truth and accountability, especially in sensitive and high-profile incidents.
The investigation, completed in less than a week, was guided by strict reliance on physical and digital evidence, including CCTV footage and ballistic analysis.
Nartatez also highlighted the importance of timely disclosure of results, noting that swift action was necessary to prevent misinformation and public confusion following the incident.
“Transparency is the bedrock of public trust. We pledged to release the truth as soon as possible, and we delivered, because the public deserves to be shielded from misinformation and the anxiety caused by unfounded theories,” he said.
“By acting swiftly and openly, we aim to restore calm, demystify the events of May 13, and hold all involved parties accountable based on the irrefutable evidence we have uncovered,” Nartatez added.
Nartatez turned over the records of investigation to Department of Justice (DOJ) Acting Secretary Fredderick Vida on Tuesday, May 19, during a press briefing at the Malacañang Palace.

Related Tags

Senate gunfire PNP Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
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