MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robinhood Padilla on Wednesday defended fugitive colleague Ronald dela Rosa over criticisms surrounding his departure from the Senate complex during the reported shooting incident involving its security personnel and operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Padilla said dela Rosa’s actions during the incident should not be interpreted negatively, stressing that the senator merely acted out of concern for his safety amid the confusion that unfolded inside the Senate premises.
According to Padilla, the situation at the time was tense and unclear, prompting those inside the building to immediately seek safety as armed personnel from different groups became involved in the confrontation.
The senator also emphasized that dela Rosa was not avoiding responsibility or abandoning the situation, but was responding to what appeared to be a potential threat during the security disturbance.
Padilla added that the incident exposed serious lapses in coordination and communication between Senate security personnel and law enforcement authorities conducting operations within the compound.
The controversy stemmed from the May 13 incident in which members of the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) and NBI personnel reportedly figured in a confrontation that allegedly involved warning shots inside the Senate complex.
The incident triggered alarm among Senate employees and officials and prompted an investigation by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
Dela Rosa became the subject of public discussion after reports circulated regarding his immediate departure from the Senate during the commotion.