By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Former Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) chief Mao Ranada Aplasca personally appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, October 28, and submitted his counter-affidavit in a direct assault complaint stemming from the May 14, 2026, incident involving the attempted arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
The complaint was filed by the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) over the alleged discharge of firearms inside the Senate building during the operation to serve an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Dela Rosa.
Following Aplasca’s submission, the DOJ prosecution panel directed the PNP-CIDG to file its reply-affidavit by November 6 to support the complaint against the former Senate security chief and two other OSAA personnel.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the police must submit their response as part of the preliminary investigation.
The incident occurred as authorities attempted to serve the ICC warrant against Dela Rosa over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Dela Rosa reportedly evaded arrest during the operation.
The alleged gunfire inside the Senate reportedly caused alarm among senators, employees and members of the media present at the building.
The DOJ has set November 13 as the deadline for both sides to complete their documentary submissions. Prosecutors will then evaluate the evidence and determine whether sufficient grounds exist to file criminal charges in court.
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