Acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Roberto “Mao” Aplasca has been placed under a six-month preventive suspension following the shooting incident that occurred inside the Senate on May 13, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Friday.

During a press briefing, Remulla said the suspension is “meant to make things easier for us to get to the bottom of things.”

The suspension stems from an incident involving gunfire inside the Senate and the reported escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa from Senate protective custody despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Kinakailangan kasi na mapag-aralan ang pangyayari na naganap sa Senado noong 13 ng Mayo noong gabi at madaling araw kahapon [May 14]. Kung saan nagkaputukan at tila tumakas sa protective custody ng Senado si Sen. Bato dela Rosa na merong warrant of arrest galing sa ICC.”

“Kinakailangang kumilos tayo sa bagay na ito,” he added.

Remulla said he had yet to personally speak with Aplasca, but confirmed that the suspension order had already been sent to the Senate.

The Ombudsman described the incident as “unacceptable,” especially since Aplasca had only recently assumed the role of Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.

“Sa isang opisina na tinatag ng ating Saligang Batas ang pangyayari na ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap lalo na… siya ay gumaganap bilang bagong Sergeant-at-Arms at siya pa ang nagpaputok ng una ng baril. It is worrisome if we allow him to go unpunished and just ignore it. We can’t ignore something of this magnitude,” he said.

“Unforgivable ang para sa akin, mahirap patawarin ‘yung ginawa nilang iyon. Nagpaputok ng baril sa loob ng premises ng enclosed building, mas lalong delikado ‘yun. It could have hit somebody,” Remulla said.

Remulla also condemned the discharge of firearms inside an enclosed government building, saying it endangered lives.

“It is worrisome if we allow this to go unpunished and just ignore it. We can’t ignore something of this magnitude.”

“He's supposed to help maintain the rules of the Senate, pero kapag paputukan mo ang enforcement ibang usapan 'yan,“ he added.

The Ombudsman also addressed allegations that the incident may have been staged.

“We will find out that’s why we are conducting an investigation na allegations na ito’y ginawnag moro-moro, scripted. Tingnan natin kung scripted ito. We will find out from the facts,” he said.

Remulla said the Ombudsman’s office would seek the cooperation of members of the media who were present during the incident and may have witnessed the shooting.

“We will ask our friends from [the] media to submit their own affidavit,” he said.

Meanwhile, Remulla challenged Dela Rosa to face the allegations against him instead of allegedly evading authorities.

“Kung wala ka talagang kasalanan, harapin mo. Anong klaseng tao ‘yan? Ganyan ba dapat maging senador natin, tumatakbo sa batas?” he said.

“Is that the hero we want to portray? Harapin niya lang ang mga paratang at sagutin niya nang maayos kung wala talaga siyang kasalanan. Flight is an indication of guilt,” Remulla added.