Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Friday, May 22, that initial findings from investigators point to a case of “trigger-happy” behavior by a member of the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) during the shooting incident inside the Senate.

Lacson said this in a radio interview on DZBB when asked what went wrong and why the situation escalated to gunfire.

"Meron nang findings, initial findings yung Philippine National Police (PNP), yung Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), na sinabi nila, naging 'trigger happy' yung aming OSAA na siya yung una nagpaputok, several bursts at hindi pa malinaw kung ano yung conclusion (There are already findings—initial findings from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)—which say that our OSAA became ‘trigger-happy’ and was the first to fire several bursts. The conclusion is still not clear)," he said.

“We will stick to the facts as it happened, as it unfolded,” Lacson added.

He did not specify who the trigger-happy OSAA personnel were, but Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, who was suspended, admitted to firing the first warning shots during the May 13, 2026, shooting incident at the Senate compound

Lacson also stated that while closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage confirmed Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa left the area with Senator Robin Padilla, the circumstances of the shooting are still being verified.

The former PNP chief said that as a long-time investigator, any inquiry into a possible crime typically focuses on three elements: means, opportunity, and motive.

“Who has the means—meaning a weapon or capability to commit a crime? Who had the opportunity? And who had the motive?” he said.

He emphasized that motive is the most important factor in determining intent, adding that any act, whether driven by noble, personal, or selfish reasons, must still be examined carefully in the context of the incident.

Meanwhile, Lacson stated that any prospective investigation by the Senate into the shooting incident inside its premises last May 13 should focus on remedial measures rather than criminal liability.

Lacson said law enforcement agencies already probing the incident should handle the criminal investigation, adding it would be awkward for the Senate to investigate itself.

"I will suggest that we let the National Bureau of Investigation or the Philippine National Police, or even the Department of Justice, do the investigation. Limit the Committee of the Whole Inquiry's inquiry into coming up with remedial legislation or administrative remedies so there will be no repeat of what happened last May 13. We should not interfere in the aspect of who is at fault or who should face charges," he said in a separate interview on True FM.

He said that it’s really awkward for them to be investigating themselves.

Otherwise, he said, "we would become a spectacle again if we point fingers at each other, so it's better to have a focused and positive approach."

He said he will raise this on Monday when the Senate resumes its session and discusses the issue.