Mao Aplasca
Mao Aplasca | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Aplasca as OTS Administrator, 2022 | |
| Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate of the Philippines | |
| In office May 11, 2026 – May 15, 2026 Suspended from May 15, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Edgardo Rene Samonte |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Parlade (OIC) |
| In office July 28, 2025 – February 2, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Roberto T. Ancan |
| Succeeded by | Edgardo Rene Samonte |
| Sergeant-at-Arms of the Commission on Appointments | |
| Assumed office February 4, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Nicasio Radovan Jr. |
| Administrator of the Office for Transportation Security | |
| In office 2022 – September 6, 2023 | |
| Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives of the Philippines | |
| In office October 12, 2020 – December 6, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Ramon Apolinario |
| Succeeded by | Rodelio Jocson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 22, 1963 |
| Alma mater | Philippine Military Academy (BS) |
| Police career | |
| Service | |
| Division |
|
| Service years | 1987–2019 |
| Rank |  Major General |
Mao Ranada Aplasca (born August 22, 1963) is a Filipino former police officer who served as the acting Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate of the Philippines from May 11 to May 15, 2026, a position he previously held in an official capacity from July 2025 to February 2026. He served as the administrator of the Office for Transportation Security under the Department of Transportation from 2022 to 2023, and as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 2020 to 2021.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Aplasca was born on August 22, 1963, in present-day Maco, Davao de Oro, which was then under the jurisdiction of Mabini in the undivided province of Davao. He graduated in Maco Heights Central Elementary School in 1976 and Maco Maryknoll High School in 1980 for his elementary and high school education, respectively. In 1987, he obtained a degree in Bachelor of Science in Management major in Security Studies in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).[2]
Police career
[edit]
Aplasca was appointed as the director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group in 2016, and director of the Police Regional Office 4A in 2017.[1] He was elevated to the position of Director for Operations in April 2018. He retired from service on August 22, 2019.[2]
Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives (2020–2021)
[edit]On October 12, 2020, Aplasca was elected as the new sergeant-at-arms of the House of Representatives to replace Ramon Apolinario during an assembly of congressmen allied with Lord Allan Velasco, whom they installed as House speaker on the same day in a special session at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City amid a crisis in the speakership.[3] He resigned from the post less than two months later on December 6, 2021, and was succeeded by retired Police Brigadier General Rodelio Jocson.[4]
Administrator of the Office for Transportation Security (2022–2023)
[edit]After his brief stint in the House of Representatives, newly-elected President Bongbong Marcos appointed Aplasca as administrator of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) in 2022, and served in the position until his resignation in 2023 following a scandal involving an OTS personnel swallowing stolen money from a passenger in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.[5][6]
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate (2025–2026; acting, 2026)
[edit]On the opening of the 20th Congress in July 2025, Aplasca was elected sergeant-at-arms of the Senate upon being nominated by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a batchmate of his in the PMA.[7] He was succeeded by Edgardo Rene Samonte in February 2026, and was subsequently elected sergeant-at-arms of the Commission on Appointments.[8][9]
Aplasca was designated as the acting sergeant-at-arms of the Senate on May 11, 2026, upon the resignation of Samonte, amidst the attempted arrest of Senator Ronald dela Rosa on the same day after agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV came to the Senate to implement an alleged warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against dela Rosa for his role in the Duterte administration's war on drugs.[10] His reinstatement was moved by dela Rosa himself and approved by a majority of the senators.[11] He gained widespread media coverage for being involved in the alleged shootout between members of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and alleged armed men attempting to enter the Senate, reported to have been "perceived NBI agents," in a renewed effort to arrest dela Rosa.[12][13][14]
After the incident, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said initial findings indicate there was no attack on Senate and that Aplasca fired the first shots.[15] Based on CCTV fotoage, Remulla noted that Aplasca fired shots towards an area "with no direct threat to him."[16]
Aplasca was suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman from his duties on May 15, 2026.[17] In June 2, 2026, Aplasca was issued subpoenas by the National Bureau of Investigation, alongside three others in connection with the escape of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (wanted by the International Criminal Court for extrajudicial killings during the Philippine drug war) hours after the alleged shootout.[18] In June 3, 2026, the rights group Tindig Pilipinas filed a complaint of obstruction of justice against Aplasca and four others in the Office of the Ombudsman, also in connection to de la Rosa's escape.[19]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Panti, Llanesca (May 14, 2026). "Who is Mao Aplasca, the acting OSAA head?". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- 1 2 Cupin, Bea (May 15, 2026). "Mao Aplasca: Retired police chief, Davaoeño, mistah to Ronald dela Rosa". Rappler. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ Colcol, Erwin (October 12, 2020). "Pro-Velasco solons elect House SecGen, Sergeant-at-Arms". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Begas, Billy (December 6, 2021). "Retired police general Jocson elected new House sergeant-at-arms". Politiko. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Yu, Lance Spencer; Rivas, Ralf (September 26, 2023). "Transportation security head Mao Aplasca resigns over thefts at NAIA". Rappler. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Quismorio, Ellson (September 26, 2023). "DOTr chief Bautista confirms Aplasca's resignation: 'He's very sad about it'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Abanto, Rowegie; Cruz, RG. "Escudero keeps Senate presidency; Sotto is minority leader". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on September 4, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Ager, Maila (February 2, 2026). "Senate elects new secretary, sergeant-at-arms". Inquirer. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ "CA approves promotions in rank of 35 AFP senior officers, elects new Secretary and Sergeant-at-Arms". Commission on Appointments. February 4, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Amor, Luwela (May 12, 2026). "Senate security to be tightened amid dela Rosa's protective custody, new OSAA chief says". DZRH News. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ GMA News (May 15, 2026). "24 Oras Express: May 15, 2026 [HD]". YouTube. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdeqG7a-vlI. 4:30–7:45.
- ↑ Locus, Sundy; Ferreras, Vince Angelo (May 13, 2026). "Senate secretary-general: 'Perceived' NBI agents entered Senate building". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (May 14, 2026). "Senate shooting: Aplasca admits being first to fire vs NBI personnel". Inquirer. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Ombay, Giselle (May 14, 2026). "OSAA's Aplasca made first warning shot at Senate —Malacañang". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Locus, Sundy (May 20, 2026). "Mao Aplasca says CCTV videos on Senate shooting 'spliced'; Jonvic Remulla cites timestamp". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Nazario, Dhel (May 20, 2026). "Aplasca: CCTV videos spliced to support 'no attack' narrative". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Bolledo, Jairo (May 15, 2026). "Ombudsman suspends Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Aplasca for 6 months with no pay". Rappler. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ Macababbad, EJ (June 2, 2026). "NBI subpoenas Aplasca, 3 others over Bato 'escape'". Philstar Global. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Panti, Llanesca T. (June 3, 2026). "Obstruction of justice complaint filed vs. Alan Peter Cayetano, Robin Padilla, Mao Aplasca". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 4, 2026.