Metro Manila, Philippines – Questions have emerged over the relationship between Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca following a tense standoff with law enforcers near the Senate complex.
Aplasca, a retired police general, is reportedly a “mistah” or schoolmate from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), raising concerns about possible connections influencing events during the incident. The Senate security chief is from PMA Class of 1987 while Dela Rosa is from Class of 1986.
The Palace earlier said the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), led by Aplasca, fired the first warning shot after encountering National Bureau of Investigation agents near the Government Service Insurance System property.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen Jose Melencio Nartatez said in a briefing in Malacanang that as a former PMA graduate himself, they have a duty to ensure justice.
“Well, on my part I’m a graduate of Philippine Military Academy. Pagdating sa organization of course doon ako natuto but isa sa mga natutunan natin is of course isa lang eh investigator – let no person deter you from the truth and to ensure that justice is done and we will ensure that,” he said.
Nartatez added that the PNP would not extend special treatment to Dela Rosa, a former police chief.
“Wala po tayong special treatment. We implement the law without favor,” PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
[Translation: There will be no special treatment. We implement the law without favor.]
Authorities said Dela Rosa had been under “protective custody” of the Senate at the time, which factored into the response of law enforcement agencies.
“Sinabi po nung mga senador that Senator Bato is under the protective custody iyon po iyong naging consideration ng NBI kung bakit hindi po namin ituloy iyong paghuli,” NBI Director Melvin Matibag said.
[Translation: Senators said that Senator Bato was under protective custody that became the NBI’s consideration for not proceeding with the arrest.]
Matibag added that the Senate would be responsible for presenting Dela Rosa to authorities if needed.
“Ang Senado po ang may karapatan sila iyong may responsibilidad na iharap si Senator Bato,” he said.
[Translation: The Senate has the authority, it is responsible for presenting Senator Bato.]
