Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and several senators on Wednesday evening reported a tense security scare inside the Senate complex due to alleged gunfire after placing the Senate building on lockdown.

The Office of Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) activated emergency protocols while senators awaited the transmission of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a livestreamed briefing, Cayetano said senators received warnings to leave the area shortly before the incident.

“Four senators got tips 30 minutes ago habang nag-uusap kami na umalis na dito kasi may mangyayari (while we were talking to leave because something might happen),” he said.

Cayetano said the OSAA later confirmed reports of gunfire near the premises, prompting senators and staff to take precautionary measures.

“We have to turn off the lights dahil may putukan na nangyayari (because there was gunfire),” he said.

The Senate chief also claimed that Senators Pia Cayetano and Loren Legarda contacted National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag during the incident to seek assistance.

According to Cayetano, the senators were told that NBI personnel had supposedly been ordered to leave the area.

“What will you do, director, kung may putukan na (if there is already gunfire)?” he said.

Pia Cayetano said emotions were high during the call because senators and Senate employees feared for their safety.

“Then do your job, make us safe. This is not good,” she said, recalling her appeal to the NBI chief.

The Senate President said officials instructed personnel inside the building to stay low and follow active shooter protocols while the situation was being assessed under lockdown.

Meanwhile, Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza told reporters that “perceived” NBI agents allegedly attempted to enter the Senate through a GSIS-connected access point on the second floor.

“Nag-retreat na sila pero secured naman yung area (They already retreated, but the area is secured),” Mendoza said.

The Senate complex shares an adjoining area with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), from which the Senate rents portions of its facilities. (PNA)