The head of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the man arrested over a shooting incident inside the Senate complex was not an official employee of the agency but a volunteer.

During a Palace press briefing, NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag identified the suspect as Mel Oragon, 44, who was earlier described in a police report as a driver employed by the NBI. Matibag said a review of agency records showed Oragon was not on its roster of agents or employees.

“Vinalidate po namin ang aming records ng aming mga ahente at mga employees, siya po ay hindi opisyal na empleyado ng NBI,” Matibag said.

He added that his own inquiry indicated Oragon was acting as a volunteer who had been accompanying NBI personnel and serving as a driver for a group deployed to the Senate.

Initial police findings said Oragon allegedly fired several gunshots inside the Senate building at around 7:50 p.m. Wednesday, triggering panic within the GSIS compound. He was subdued and arrested by members of the Senate Security Detachment.

Matibag said the firearm used by Oragon was not formally issued to him, suggesting it had been handed to him temporarily.

“’Yung actual naman na pangyayari, wala naman po siyang access po doon sa baril na hawak-hawak po niya.”

Authorities are continuing their investigation into how the suspect obtained the weapon and the circumstances leading to the shooting.