Gunfire erupted at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday (May 13th), according to witnesses reported by Reuters, with personnel on site being instructed to take shelter. It is speculated that authorities are attempting to arrest senior Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), leading to a chaotic situation at the scene.
The specifics of what transpired and the identity of the shooter remain unclear. Reuters reporters observed over a dozen military personnel in camouflage uniforms arriving at the Senate building, some of them carrying assault rifles.
The reason for the deployment of troops is currently unknown, as attempts to reach military officials for comment have been unsuccessful. It is also uncertain whether there are other security personnel inside the building.
Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza informed reporters that following the gunfire incident, there have been no reports of casualties so far. He stated that an unspecified number of law enforcement officers are attempting to enter the building, with the situation still being assessed.
As the sound of gunshots rang out, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief enforcer in the bloody “war on drugs,” Ronald dela Rosa, took to Facebook, claiming he was about to be arrested and urging the public to mobilize to prevent his transfer to the International Criminal Court.
The 64-year-old dela Rosa, who led the Philippine national police at the time, has been hiding in his legislative office since Monday. On Tuesday, he urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr not to hand him over to the ICC but stated his readiness to face justice domestically.
Surveillance footage showed him running on Monday as law enforcement officers pursued him through the corridors and stairwells of the Senate building. Dela Rosa attended a Senate session that day, marking his first public appearance since disappearing from the public eye in November last year.
During Duterte’s administration, dela Rosa oversaw the brutal drug crackdown that resulted in the deaths of thousands of suspected drug offenders. Human rights organizations have accused the police of systematic murders and cover-ups. The police have refuted these claims, stating that over 6,000 individuals killed during the anti-drug operations were armed and resisted arrest.
The ICC unsealed an arrest warrant for dela Rosa on Monday for alleged crimes against humanity, listing him as a co-conspirator in the Duterte case. Dela Rosa claimed that law enforcement personnel are on their way to apprehend him.
After the gunfire, Philippine Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla entered the Senate building, stating that his intention was to protect dela Rosa rather than arrest him.
Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, was arrested by the Philippine police in March 2025 on similar charges of crimes against humanity. He was subsequently transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for trial.