By Samantha Yu
MANILA — Several senators demanded a thorough investigation and tighter security protocols after gunshots erupted near the Senate building Wednesday evening, triggering panic and a security lockdown inside the complex.
Senator Robinhood Padilla said the incident underscored the urgent need to modernize the Senate’s security infrastructure and reinforce the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
According to Padilla, authorities should improve surveillance systems, strengthen access and perimeter security, and establish clearer coordination procedures among security agencies.
“The Senate is a co-equal branch of government, and any operation involving its premises should observe due process and proper coordination,” he said.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri likewise condemned the incident and pressed authorities to determine who carried out the attack and how they were able to flee the area.
“I appeal to the PNP to uncover exactly what happened and identify the perpetrators,” Zubiri said.
For Senator Erwin Tulfo, the gunfire incident was more than a security breach, saying it undermined the dignity of the Senate and endangered innocent civilians inside the compound.
“Hind po ito ordinaryong insidente. Nalagay sa panganib ang mga empleyado at miyembro ng media na nasa Senado,” Tulfo said.
Government agencies, he added, must ensure public safety while carrying out their duties within the bounds of the law.
Initial information indicated that the commotion began after individuals allegedly attempted to access Senate grounds through an adjacent structure, prompting a response from security personnel deployed in the area.
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