By: Itchie G. Cabayan
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday night addressed the nation following an alleged shooting incident that took place at the Senate, saying: .‘Hindi po gobyerno ang gumawa nito…Kalma lang po. Asahan ninyo, ’yung gobyerno po ninyo, hindi gagawin ito.”
In categorically denying that the government had ordered the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Marcos said that no outside military, NBI or law enforcement personnel entered the Senate building.
“Hindi po gobyerno ang gumawa nito. Walang pumasok na taga-labas na sundalo, na militar, na NBI sa Senado,” Marcos stated, as he also narrated that he had been monitoring the situation for approximately two and a half hours.
Upon learning of the shooting, Marcos said he called up DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla and then NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
“Tinanong ko sa mga NBI, at kay Director Matibag, ‘Kayo ba ay pumasok sa Senado?’ Sabi niya, ‘Wala. Wala kang instruction, Sir, kaya’t ba’t namin gagawin ‘yun?’” he said.
He went on to clarify that the uniformed personnel seen inside the Senate consisted only of PNP officers on duty for crowd control and security as well as Marines from a detachment permanently assigned to the Senate, saying: ’Yan lang ang sundalo o pulis na nasa loob. Taga-roon ang nandoon.”
Regarding a third group seen in civilian clothing carrying long firearms, the President said they were personnel from the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate:“’Yun naman ay sa Sergeant-at-Arms ng Senado. So lahat ng nakikita ninyong naka-uniporme o armado na nandoon ay taga-roon.”
The President added having ordered the NBI to stand down, after the Supreme Court issued its resolution Wednesday afternoon directing parties to comment on Dela Rosa’s petition.
“Sinabi ko, ‘Umalis na kayo riyan.’ Nag-comply naman sila. Kaya’t noong kausap ko si Director Matibag, sabi niya, ‘Walang NBI roon. Nandito lahat kami sa opisina,’” Marcos said, as he stressed that there was no order from anyone to arrest Dela Rosa.
“Nais kong maibida sa inyong lahat, wala pong instruksyon kahit na kanino na hulihin si Senator Bato,” he said, adding that the Senate and the PNP will jointly conduct an investigation into the said shooting, as he also hinted on a possible destabilization effort.
“Aalamin natin kung sino ang gumawa nitong gulo na ito. Ito ba ay talagang nagka-engkuwentro lang, o ito ba ay may kasama sa mga destab o nagsisimula ng gulo?” Marcos said, as he concluded his public statement with an appeal for calm, while giving the assurance that the government had nothing to do with the incident and all evidence is now being collected.
