Senator Raffy Tulfo seeks reforms in Sergeant-at-Arms office after Senate shooting

Senator Raffy Tulfo has filed a resolution urging the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) to establish comprehensive training programs and institutionalize a formal operations manual aimed at strengthening security procedures within the Senate.

Under Senate Resolution No. 402 filed on May 19, Tulfo raised concerns over operational, procedural, and coordination issues that surfaced during the reported confrontation and standoff between personnel of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the OSAA inside Senate premises on May 13.

The senator said the incident exposed weaknesses in internal security protocols, emergency response systems, perimeter control measures, inter-agency coordination, and command responsibility.

“Reports regarding confusion during the incident, including alleged warning shots, lockdown procedures, movement control, and differing accounts from involved parties, underscore the necessity for clearer operational standards, updated coordination mechanisms, and institutionalized protocols governing interactions between the OSAA and external law enforcement agencies,” Tulfo said.

Suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca earlier claimed that the warning shot he fired during the confrontation was intended to prevent escalation and avoid a possible “bloodbath.”

Meanwhile, former Philippine National Police chief Nicolas Torre III reportedly said that Aplasca and OSAA personnel are not covered by the Revised Philippine National Police Operational Procedures Manual because they are outside the PNP’s command and supervision.

Tulfo said the situation highlighted “the operational and regulatory gap arising from the absence of a separate, clearly defined, and institutionalized operations manual specifically governing the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and its personnel.”

Because of this, Tulfo said the Senate should institutionalize “a professionalized operational framework” that would clearly define protocols on command responsibility, communication systems, use-of-force guidelines, emergency and evacuation procedures, coordination with law enforcement agencies, and standards of conduct for OSAA personnel.

He also emphasized the need for regular and specialized training programs covering crisis and crowd management, emergency response, de-escalation techniques, parliamentary security management, incident documentation, lawful enforcement coordination, and human rights-based security operations.

Tulfo further proposed that the OSAA coordinate with government agencies, law enforcement institutions, emergency response units, constitutional experts, and security professionals in updating its manual and formulating operational standards consistent with constitutional rights, public safety principles, and parliamentary security protocols.

-Paraluman News