Under attack: Iloilo capitol real; Philippine senate bogus

By Alex P. Vidal

“Without a plan, there’s no attack. Without attack, no victory.” – Curtis Armstrong

THERE’S a stark contrast between the “attack” that occurred on January 17, 2007, when heavily armed units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) forcibly entered the Iloilo capitol building and the “attack” that allegedly happened in the Philippine senate on May 13, 2026.

The Iloilo capitol “attack” was real because it was led by some 200 police personnel, including elements of the combat-ready Regional Mobile Group (RMG) in full battle gear, moving onto the capitol grounds as part of efforts to enforce an administrative dismissal order and related orders against then Governor Niel Tupas Sr.

The Philippine senate “attack” was bogus; it was only Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’s figment of imagination scandalously immortalized by relatives of Judas Iscariot who called themselves honorable members of the majority bloc and their minions.

There was real and present danger during the Iloilo capitol “attack” as “invaders” encountered resistance from irate civilian supporters of the late governor who had barricaded parts of the building and held vigils inside.

The only danger in the Philippine senate “attack” was the stray bullets that would have ricocheted and hit civilians, including journalists trapped inside. Thank God it didn’t happen.

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Armed with long firearms, the cops, with imprimatur from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), wanted to implement a removal order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman. They broke down gates and glass doors to gain access to the building.

The accounts of police officers pointing firearms during the operation sparked national criticism and indignation over the use of force and alleged violations of human rights.

The Iloilo capitol “attack” was real, documented, it happened in broad daylight, caught on videos, and witnessed by people from all over the world.

We cannot speak the same way to describe the Philippine senate “attack.”

Gunshots only erupted inside the Philippine senate as the dramatic standoff unfolded around Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s police chief wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged role in a drug war that left thousands of suspected drug addicts and pushers dead.

They were fired by panicky and trigger-happy senate sergeant at arms Mao Aplasca and his men as “warning shots” when NBI agents allegedly tried to sneak inside the senate building, which was belied by the CCTV.

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The senate shooting occurred at approximately 7:45 pm. inside the Batasang Pambansa complex in Pasay City, Metro Manila. No casualties were reported.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had been insisting no agents were deployed to arrest Dela Rosa and clarified that the gunshots were not fired by its personnel.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau had been ordered to stand down.

Reporters present at the scene confirmed members of the Philippine Marines detailed to the senate fell into formation in the right wing of the building minutes before the shots rang out.

The personnel were wearing bulletproof vests and cocked their long firearms before journalists were asked to vacate the building.

It’s a big joke for Cayetano, et al to insist that an “attack” had occurred in the senate. The DILG and the PNP have already investigated the matter and recommended to the Department of Justice (DoJ) several charges against the culprits.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)