Philippines Dismisses Former Senate Sergeant‑at‑Arms Mao Aplasca

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on July 4 that former Senate Sergeant‑at‑Arms Mao Aplasca has been dismissed from service, signing the order on June 29. The dismissal follows a prior six‑month suspension that was imposed after Aplasca fired the first warning shot in the May 13 exchange of gunfire inside the Senate building, an incident that also led to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa being placed in preventive custody amid an attempted International Criminal Court arrest warrant. The ombudsman said the decision will be released later this week.