Manila: Government prosecutors have asked for an accounting of the firearms owned by the Senate, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday. "Our special panel of prosecutors have issued a subpoena to the Office of the Senate Secretary directing the production of documents relevant to the ongoing fact-finding investigation, particularly, we have asked for the oath of office of Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Ret. Gen. Mao Aplasca," DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida told reporters in a press briefing.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOJ has also requested a summary or inventory of firearms available and owned by the Senate, along with their corresponding issuance documents to corresponding Senate officials and employees. Vida stated that the DOJ has also asked for the Senate's security logs, emphasizing the importance of these documents in the investigation.
The DOJ has further issued a subpoena to the Commission on Audit to produce records relating to the inventory of assets, particularly firearms owned by the Senate. The justice department is particularly interested in the CZ "Scorpion" assault pistol seen in videos of the May 13 shooting incident involving Senate security personnel led by Aplasca and the National Bureau of Investigation.
Vida indicated that some individuals might be held liable for obstruction of justice, citing various acts such as concealing evidence, tampering with evidence, witness tampering, misleading authorities, and delaying legal processes. He warned that public officials or employees found guilty of these acts would face an accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Robert AA Morico II previously stated that criminal complaints would be filed against Aplasca and at least two of his men who discharged their firearms during the controversial May 13 incident. Morico highlighted that Aplasca and his personnel's actions violated the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 11917, or the Private Security Services Industry Act, enacted in 2022 during the term of then-Senate president Vicente Sotto III.
He explained that the IRR clearly states that a warning shot is not included in the six stages that need to be observed before the use of lethal force. Under RA 11917, private security personnel must follow a six-level "force continuum": alert presence (Level 1); verbal communication (Level 2); physical restraints (Level 3); use of chemical agents (Level 4); temporary incapacitation (Level 5); and use of force or firearms (Level 6).
