The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it would conduct a “thorough investigation” into Wednesday night’s shooting incident inside the Senate building in Pasay City.

In a statement, the PNP said the investigation would be led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“We assure all our kababayan (countrymen) of a thorough, objective, and exhaustive investigation of this incident. Our goal is clear: follow the evidence wherever it leads,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

He added that the CIDG would work closely with the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and Senate leadership “to ensure that no stone is left unturned.”

“This is a matter of national security and public trust,” Nartatez said.

Nartatez and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla went to the Senate on Wednesday night to assess the situation and meet with senators, following instructions from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to secure everyone inside the legislative building and determine the truth.

Marcos earlier said the incident was not government-led.

The PNP raised its security posture to the highest alert level following reports of gunfire inside the Senate complex.

Nartatez said police units deployed in the area were tasked to support security operations while authorities conduct the investigation. He emphasized that police personnel did not fire any shots during the incident.

“Our personnel are there in a purely supportive and protective capacity, coordinated strictly with the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. Their presence is intended to maintain order, secure the perimeter, and ensure the safety of the Senators and the staff while the investigation is active. They are not there to interfere with legislative proceedings,” he said.

The National Capital Region Police Office and the CIDG were instructed to secure and preserve all available CCTV footage, radio communications, and entry logs that could help establish the circumstances surrounding the shots that rang out inside the Senate.

Police investigators are expected to submit an initial report once evidence gathering is completed.

‘Leave politics to politicians’

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Thursday reminded troops nationwide to remain “calm, disciplined and professional” and to keep politics out of the military’s ranks.

“My instructions to the soldiers nationwide are for everyone to remain calm, disciplined, and professional. We should only focus on our jobs and leave politics to the politicians,” he said when asked to comment on the Senate incident.

Brawner also said military personnel on the ground did not fire the shots that triggered the incident. He noted that the Marine personnel seen inside the building were members of the Marine Security and Escort Group, which maintains a security detachment at the facility.

Despite Wednesday night’s chaos, Brawner assured the public that no AFP personnel would be involved in any destabilization attempt against the government, stressing that soldiers remain professional.

He also said the AFP would not raise its alert status. (With a report from Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)