More than two weeks after a series of gunfire rocked the Senate, the Filipino people are still asking, “Was it related to the escape of Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa?”

On Thursday, May 28, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ended all the speculations and conspiracy theories circulating on social media based on what it described as facts and evidence-based investigation from statements it obtained up to the CCTV footage its investigators were able to collate and meticulously review. 

“Let me just say that, you know, two incidents po yun. They’re related,” said CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City 

“But the investigation is already with the DOJ, and I don’t want to preempt the findings of the Department of Justice,” he stressed.

DOJ acting Secretary Fredderick A. Vida earlier said that their investigation would go beyond the Senate gunfire, but also include the incidents before that as early as May 11.

It was May 11 when Dela Rosa suddenly appeared before the Senate to participate in the successful move to oust Vicente Sotto III as Senate president and be replaced by Alan Peter Cayetano.

On the night of May 13, a series of gunfire erupted in the Senate over an alleged attempt to forcibly take Dela Rosa. 

CIDG investigation later rejected the claims that the Senate was under attack on May 13, even pointing out that Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Mao Aplasca was apparently shooting at nobody. The incident was captured in CCTV footage that was immediately secured by the CIDG.

A separate investigation conducted by the CIDG in relation to the escape of Dela Rosa also established that there was a highly coordinated and pre-planned logistical maneuver to ensure that the fugitive solon would be able to leave the Senate—which ironicall gave him a protective custody.

In the same press briefing, Morico said they already submitted a lot of incident and investigation reports, as well as recommendations for legal action.

Part of that recommendation was the filing of an obstruction of justice case against Sen. Robin Padilla, her female staff and at least four others.

How about Alan?

Earlier, Cayetano was quoted admitting to the ownership of the vehicle that brought Dela Rosa inside the Senate to participate in the leadership change. 

Dela Rosa, in a television interview also admitted that his presence in the Senate was for him to become the 13th vote needed for the coup.

If the Senate gunfire and the highly coordinated and pre-planned escape of Dela Rosa are related based on the CIDG probe result, is Cayetano liable too?

“That question is outside of my paycheck,” said Morico when asked if Cayetano can be held liable over the incident. 

“It’s for the Department of Justice to evaluate, to answer,” he stressed.

Morico said they have been helping the DOJ in the conduct of the investigation and what it does is to submit reports and make recommendations.

“We investigated the Senate shooting then the escape. To make conclusions, we have already turned over the case to the Department of Justice,” said Morico.

“The CIDG is relegated to investigative support, whatever the requirements of the DOJ, we will be acting on it. And the conclusions, I cannot reveal right now because the investigation is ongoing,” he added.

Morico, however, would not comment when asked whether or not they recommended filing of charges against other senators aside from Padilla who was recommended to be slapped with a case of obstruction of justice in relation to Dela Rosa’s escape.