Mel Oragon, the NBI driver linked to the Senate shooting, tested positive for gunpowder residue following the May 13 gunfire incident inside the Senate premises, according to the Southern Police District.
Oragon was arrested after several gunshots were fired inside the Senate building while Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was under Senate protective custody. He underwent inquest proceedings for alleged violations of Republic Act 10591, alarm and scandal, direct assault, trespass to property and violation of Senate security rules.
“Base sa result, positive po sa presence ng gunpowder yung alleged NBI driver,” SPD Public Information Office chief Police Lt. Margaret Panaga said.
The development is significant because Matibag had earlier distanced the bureau from Oragon’s status, saying the suspect was not an official NBI employee but merely a volunteer accompanying NBI agents.
“Vinalidate po namin ang aming records ng aming mga ahente at mga employees, siya po ay hindi opisyal na empleyado na NBI,” Matibag said. “Ngunit nung nagkaroon na po ako ng sariling imbestigasyon, lumalabas na siya ay parang volunteer kasama ng mga ahente.”
Matibag also said some NBI agents believed the chaos at the Senate may have been staged, while the bureau denied involvement in the gunfire and said it would conduct its own fact-finding investigation.
Aside from live ammunition, authorities reportedly recovered a blue jacket with NBI markings, a polo shirt bearing the NBI logo and a badge from the suspect.
