Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano raised serious concerns after reports of gunfire inside the Senate on Wednesday, describing the situation as a possible security breach and warning that lawmakers may be under threat.
In a Facebook Live broadcast following the incident, Cayetano said senators were alerted to possible danger shortly before tensions escalated inside the Senate premises.
“We are allegedly under attack,” Cayetano said, as he ordered staff and colleagues to take precautionary measures, including turning off lights and staying low while security protocols were observed.
He further disclosed that Senators Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano had contacted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag amid confusion over the security situation.
Cayetano recounted that the NBI official reportedly claimed their team had been removed from the area, saying they could not intervene despite reports of gunfire.
“What would you do if there is a shooting happening and all your staff are in vests and you don’t know what will happen next? Shouldn’t the answer be, ‘I will go there and make sure you are safe’?” Cayetano said, expressing frustration over the response.
Senator Pia Cayetano also described the exchange as alarming, saying she expected immediate action when she asked authorities what steps were being taken while shots were reportedly being fired.
“Pinuputukan kami dito!” she said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation during the call.
Cayetano added that several senators had received earlier warnings from multiple sources advising them to leave the area about 30 minutes before the incident, suggesting that intelligence about a possible threat had already circulated within the chamber.
“Four senators got tips that something might happen here… emotions are high because why are we being told to leave when we are in a meeting?” he said.
He stressed that the Senate should be secured at all times, especially during official sessions and sensitive deliberations.
Authorities have yet to release an official confirmation regarding the reported gunfire or the extent of the security incident as of press time.
