Aplasca Exonerated: Truth Emerges Amid Disinformation on Senate Shooting

PMGEN Ma. O. Aplasca (Ret.)

Aplasca Exonerated: Truth Emerges Amid Disinformation on Senate Shooting

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | May 19, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), led by PMGEN Ma. O. Aplasca (Ret.), vehemently refutes claims that crucial CCTV footage was unavailable following a shooting incident on May 13, 2026, involving OSAA personnel and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives on the Senate’s second floor. This denial comes amid a flurry of social media speculation and news reports suggesting a cover-up; yet, official records provided by the OSAA present a clear counter-narrative.

CCTV Footage Confirmed, Provided to Investigators

Contrary to misleading reports, the OSAA asserts that its CCTV system was fully operational. On May 14, 2026, the OSAA promptly complied with an official request from PCOL John K. Guiagui of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG RFU NCR). Requested CCTV recordings, specifically from DVR 2 (Cam 8) and DVR 8 (Cams 7 and 8) covering the incident’s timeframe, were extracted and handed over to PNP CIDG RFU NCR personnel on the same day.

The transfer was documented with corresponding certifications and acknowledgment receipts, signed by PNP personnel, confirming the authenticity and unaltered nature of the footage, which was directly obtained from the official Senate CCTV system. These official records contradict allegations of non-existent or withheld CCTV evidence, establishing the OSAA’s immediate cooperation with law enforcement.

Aplasca’s Track Record: A History of High-Stakes Roles

The controversy thrusts Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Ma. O. Aplasca into the spotlight. A retired three-star police general (PMA Class of 1987), Aplasca’s career has been marked by high-profile security and administrative roles across various government branches.

Aplasca’s appointment as Senate Sergeant-at-Arms in July 2025, nominated by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, highlights his perceived capabilities in security matters. His brief departure in February 2026 to lead security for the Commission on Appointments, followed by his swift return as acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms just days before the May 2026 shooting incident, underscores his trusted position.

His previous experience includes serving as an Undersecretary to lead the Office of Transportation Security (OTS), a position he resigned from in September 2023 following a publicized scandal involving airport screening personnel caught on CCTV allegedly stealing cash. He also served as the security chief for the House of Representatives during the 18th Congress.

During his active police service, Aplasca was lauded for initiatives such as spearheading efforts to counter the “Tanim-Bala” luggage-planting extortion schemes as Director of the PNP Aviation Security Group and serving as Regional Director for PNP CALABARZON (Region 4A).

Call for Prudence Amid Unverified Information

The OSAA emphasizes that the dissemination of unverified information undermines the ongoing investigation and misleads the public. They urge the public and media to exercise prudence and rely solely on verified statements and official documents from authorized government sources, reaffirming their commitment to transparency and cooperation with legitimate investigative bodies.

The question of who is “telling the truth” in this unfolding narrative remains central, but the OSAA’s immediate release of documented evidence of CCTV provision directly challenges the initial wave of accusations. The integrity of the investigation hinges on these facts, as does the public’s perception of Aplasca’s leadership in ensuring the security and accountability of the Senate institution.