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EJ Macababbad - The Philippine Star
May 16, 2026 | 12:00am
An armed senate security stands guard at the entrance of the senate building in Manila on May 12, 2026, after gunshots were heard inside the building.
AFP / Ted Aljibe
MANILA, Philippines — The driver-volunteer from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) accused in the shooting incident at the Senate was formally charged before the Pasay prosecutor’s office on Thursday night.
Mel Oragon – not his legal name – is facing a slew of charges for the incident on May 13, including five violations of the Revised Penal Code: alarm and scandal, tumultuous disturbance of public order, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or agents of such person, disturbance of proceedings and direct assault.
Authorities also charged the 44-year-old suspect for violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, as well as “trespass to property” and violations of Senate security regulations.
According to a report from the Southern Police District, personnel from the Senate security department captured Oragon when he “allegedly fired several gunshots inside the Senate building” using an unidentified firearm.
However, NBI Director Melvin Matibag maintained that Oragon was only a driver for his handler-agent who had been deployed at the GSIS building in Pasay following a letter-request from GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso to secure the area.
In an interview with One PH’s “One Balita Pilipinas” yesterday, Matibag said Oragon was merely retrieving an agent’s tactical bag containing a gun, a magazine and clothes when he was arrested in the GSIS premises.
Matibag also claimed police “did not attach” the results of the paraffin test conducted on the driver.
The National Capital Region Police Office, though, confirmed to The STAR that Oragon tested positive for gunpowder nitrates.
The NBI chief argued that, at the very least, Oragon could only be charged for tampering with evidence because he retrieved the tactical bag.
Bato in Camp Crame?
The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, declined to comment on the alleged request of Sen. Bato dela Rosa to stay in PNP custody at Camp Crame after the Senate shooting incident.
“For now, we are requesting everyone to refrain from commenting on the matter,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño told reporters.
Earlier, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca disclosed that Dela Rosa had asked Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. if he could stay at Camp Crame, particularly the official residence of the national police chief.
Tuaño also refused to disclose details of the PNP’s investigation into the gunfire at the Senate to avoid speculation.— Emmanuel Tupas
