MANILA – Senator Jinggoy Estrada denied allegations that he ordered Senate personnel to conceal closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage related to the shooting incident inside the Senate complex, saying he only directed that the recordings be preserved as evidence for investigation.

In a report, it said that the clarification came after a portion of Estrada’s Facebook live video circulated online, where he was heard saying “itago” in reference to the CCTV footage while speaking with Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms chief Mao Aplasca. The remark was interpreted by some social media users as an order to hide the recordings from the public.

“Ang ibig sabihin nun I-preserve yung CCTV for future reference (That means to preserve the CCTV for future reference),” Estrada told reporters.

“Masyado naman binigyan ng kulay yung pagsasalita ko (What I said was given too much meaning or misinterpreted),” he added.

Estrada said the confusion stemmed from the tense situation during the gunfire incident inside the Senate building, which involved senators, staff, and members of the media.

He maintained that preserving the footage was necessary as it could serve as evidence in future investigations, adding that he was open to the possible public release of the CCTV recordings.

“Ako, anything goes. Payag ako kung pinalabas yung CCTV footage kung ano nangyari noong nakaraang Miyerkules (For me, anything goes. I agree if the CCTV footage is released showing what really happened last Wednesday) in order for the public to know what really transpired,” he said.

Estrada also recounted that senators were gathered in the office of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano while waiting for the transmission of impeachment articles when gunshots were heard.

“At first, akala pa nga ni Senator Joel [Villanueva], fireworks lang yan galing sa Mall of Asia (At first, Senator Joel Villanueva thought it was fireworks from the Mall of Asia),” he said.

He said panic quickly spread after the gunfire continued, prompting senators and staff to evacuate, though they were initially prevented from leaving due to the situation on the second floor of the building.

“Kung iniisip niyo kami ang nag-stage ng (If you’re thinking that we staged the) incident, tell me who in particular? Kasi kabado kami lahat eh (We were all anxious),” Estrada said.

The shooting incident took place days after Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa remained inside Senate premises amid concerns over a possible arrest linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war.