Metro Manila, Philippines- Malacañang said Senate security personnel fired the first warning shot during a tense scene inside the Senate building, while citing sources that embattled Senator Bato Dela Rosa is no longer in the premises.

“Agad nagpaputok ng warning shot si Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca. At dahil doon, napilitan ding magpaputok ng warning shot ang NBI agent,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Thursday, May 14, briefing.

[Translation: The Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca immediately fired a warning shot. Because of that, the NBI agent was also forced to fire a warning shot.]

Castro said the incident began after Senate officials spotted National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents within the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) property adjacent to the Senate. The Senate complex itself is part of the GSIS property.

She clarified that NBI presence was requested to secure the GSIS premises and not to conduct an arrest operation.

“Walang assault na ginawa ang NBI agents sa Senado; at pangalawa, walang operasyon ang NBI o PNP na arestuhin si Senator Bato,” Castro said.

[Translation: There was no assault conducted by NBI agents against the Senate; and second, there was no operation by the NBI or the Philippine National Police to arrest Senator Bato.]

The Palace said Senate security personnel had geared up upon learning of the NBI presence before proceeding to a connecting bridge between the Senate and GSIS buildings.

When confronted, the NBI agents identified themselves, but the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms allegedly fired a warning shot, prompting a response from the NBI.

Earlier, Dela Rosa had gone live on social media saying he might be arrested, while the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms also informed the media that an arrest could take place.

“As of 11:09 A.M., several sources confirmed that the senator… is no longer in the Senate premises,” Castro said.

Authorities said they are still seeking official confirmation on Dela Rosa’s whereabouts.