NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Cayetano Defends Senate Amid Bato Escape And Shooting Incident
Screengrab from Senator Alan Cayetano
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano defended the Senate’s actions following the controversial departure of Senator Ronald dela Rosa from the Senate building, while also describing the armed incident inside the Senate complex as an attack on the institution.
During a media briefing on Thursday, May 14, Cayetano said he was informed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada around lunchtime that dela Rosa was no longer inside the Senate premises. He immediately asked the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms for a report regarding the incident.
Cayetano also shared a message allegedly sent by dela Rosa’s wife, who apologized for the confusion caused by the senator’s sudden departure and said the senator left because he did not want others inside the Senate placed in danger.
“We extended the courtesy and the traditions of the Senate na hindi pwedeng mag-aresto sa loob. He's not under arrest from any of us,” Senate President Cayetano said.
He also claimed that, as far as the Senate leadership was concerned, no warrant had been formally presented to them by authorities. Cayetano said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had yet to submit a copy of the supposed warrant despite earlier assurances.
Senate President Cayetano further detailed the tense confrontation that unfolded inside the Senate complex involving members of the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) and armed individuals allegedly linked to the NBI.
According to Cayetano, OSAA personnel first issued verbal warnings before firing warning shots after armed men allegedly refused to back away. He cited an initial report stating that 27 shots came from the Senate side while five shots allegedly came from the opposing side.
He also read portions of a report supposedly relayed by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, claiming an armed individual identified as an NBI agent discharged several rounds before fleeing the scene.
Cayetano stressed that the Senate was placed in danger during the incident.
“The Senate is under attack. Was under attack. All of you, your lives were in danger last night,” he told reporters.
The Senate President denied speculation that the incident was staged to help dela Rosa leave the Senate unnoticed. He argued that if there had been a plan to secretly move the senator, it could have been done more quietly without triggering a major security scare.
He also emphasized that the Senate’s primary concern was protecting the institution’s integrity and ensuring that any attempt to arrest a senator within the Senate grounds would be coordinated and legally justified.
“What we're protecting actually is the sanctity of the Senate, hindi siya,” Cayetano said.
During a media briefing on Thursday, May 14, Cayetano said he was informed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada around lunchtime that dela Rosa was no longer inside the Senate premises. He immediately asked the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms for a report regarding the incident.
Cayetano also shared a message allegedly sent by dela Rosa’s wife, who apologized for the confusion caused by the senator’s sudden departure and said the senator left because he did not want others inside the Senate placed in danger.
“We extended the courtesy and the traditions of the Senate na hindi pwedeng mag-aresto sa loob. He's not under arrest from any of us,” Senate President Cayetano said.
He also claimed that, as far as the Senate leadership was concerned, no warrant had been formally presented to them by authorities. Cayetano said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had yet to submit a copy of the supposed warrant despite earlier assurances.
Senate President Cayetano further detailed the tense confrontation that unfolded inside the Senate complex involving members of the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) and armed individuals allegedly linked to the NBI.
According to Cayetano, OSAA personnel first issued verbal warnings before firing warning shots after armed men allegedly refused to back away. He cited an initial report stating that 27 shots came from the Senate side while five shots allegedly came from the opposing side.
He also read portions of a report supposedly relayed by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, claiming an armed individual identified as an NBI agent discharged several rounds before fleeing the scene.
Cayetano stressed that the Senate was placed in danger during the incident.
“The Senate is under attack. Was under attack. All of you, your lives were in danger last night,” he told reporters.
The Senate President denied speculation that the incident was staged to help dela Rosa leave the Senate unnoticed. He argued that if there had been a plan to secretly move the senator, it could have been done more quietly without triggering a major security scare.
He also emphasized that the Senate’s primary concern was protecting the institution’s integrity and ensuring that any attempt to arrest a senator within the Senate grounds would be coordinated and legally justified.
“What we're protecting actually is the sanctity of the Senate, hindi siya,” Cayetano said.
May 14, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
