Pasay city: Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) acting chief Mao Aplasca explained his move to fire a warning shot during the May 13 gunfire incident inside the building in Pasay City. Aplasca admitted that he fired the warning shot after seeing armed individuals, who he later said were National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel, within Senate jurisdiction.

According to Philippines News Agency, Aplasca stated that warning shots are utilized when there is a perceived danger to the lives of policemen. He mentioned that OSAA personnel first challenged the armed individuals, asking them to identify themselves and to lower their firearms; however, they did not comply. Aplasca emphasized that he was the one who fired the warning shot, following protocol to challenge perceived threats by confirming their identity.

Aplasca noted that the NBI did not coordinate with OSAA prior to their operation, resulting in his decision to fire a single warning shot. He highlighted that a warning shot should not be repeated, based on his experience. When questioned about the presence of media personnel and civilians during the confrontation, Aplasca acknowledged that clearing the area was ideal but cited limited time to act as a constraint.

He further mentioned that OSAA is in the process of reviewing closed-circuit television footage and other materials to establish an accurate sequence of events. Aplasca, with a history in law enforcement as a retired police major general, has served in various capacities, including as Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and in senior positions within the Philippine National Police (PNP).