Full Breakdown
Gunshots Erupt at Philippine Senate as ICC-Wanted Senator Ronald Dela Rosa Remains in Sanctuary
5/13/2026, 9:07:49 PM
The Incident Inside the Senate
On the evening of 13 May 2026, more than a dozen gunshots rang out inside the Philippine Senate in Manila. Police and marine units entered the building while Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, a former police chief, was sheltering in his office under legislative protection. Journalists fled for cover and live-streamed footage showed armed personnel on the stairs. No injuries were reported, and authorities have not confirmed who fired the shots.
Background: ICC Warrant and the War on Drugs
The International Criminal Court (ICC) unsealed an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa on 8 May, accusing him of crimes against humanity linked to the “war on drugs” launched by ex-President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte’s campaign, which propelled him to the presidency in 2016, resulted in police-reported killings of more than 6,000 suspected drug dealers. Dela Rosa, dubbed “Bato” (rock), served as the chief enforcer of that crackdown and has denied involvement in illegal killings.
Key Players
- Ronald Dela Rosa – Senator, former police chief, ICC suspect.
- Alan Peter Cayetano – Senate president-elect, Duterte ally.
- Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – President of the Philippines.
- Sara Duterte – Vice president, daughter of Rodrigo Duterte.
- Jonvic Remulla – Interior Secretary.
- Melvin Matibag – National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief.
- Mark Llandro Mendoza – Senate secretary.
- Mao Aplasca – Senate sergeant-at-arms.
Timeline of Events
- 8 May – ICC issues arrest warrant for Dela Rosa.
- Monday, 11 May – Dela Rosa takes refuge in the Senate after a high-speed chase; the Supreme Court denies his request for a temporary restraining order.
- Wednesday, 13 May – Police and marines move toward the Senate; gunshots are heard; interior officials declare the building secure.
- Thursday, 14 May – Cayetano announces a formal investigation and a Senate session to address the incident.
Data & Statistics
- Approximately 15 shots were fired, according to on-site journalists.
- The “war on drugs” claimed over 6,000 lives in official police counts.
- Dela Rosa is 64 years old; the ICC warrant cites alleged crimes dating from his tenure under Duterte.
Official Statements & Responses
Senate president-elect Cayetano pledged a “thorough investigation” and scheduled a Senate session for Thursday. Interior Secretary Remulla said, “No one was hit, no one is wounded, no one was killed,” and noted that the identity of the shooters remained unverified. NBI chief Matibag asserted that NBI agents were not involved in the gunfire. Senate secretary Mendoza reported that “we are all safe here” and that the chamber was placed on lockdown.
Criticism & Opposition
Al Jazeera correspondent Jamela Alindogan observed that “Duterte’s allies believe they are above accountability, they do not recognise the sovereignty of international law and refuse accusations against them.” The commentary underscores domestic concern that political allies may evade ICC jurisdiction.
On-the-Ground Reports
Journalists from Reuters and local media described staff scrambling for cover as armed personnel in camouflage fatigues entered the Senate. Live-streamed footage captured the chaos, while no casualties were confirmed.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Senate secretary Mendoza claimed that agents from the NBI attempted to enter the building and fired as they retreated. In contrast, NBI chief Matibag told GMA News that no NBI agents were deployed, leaving the source of the gunfire unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “About 15 shots were fired and we were forced to pull back,” — Jamela Alindogan, Al Jazeera journalist
- “I am appealing to you. I hope you can help me. Do not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague,” — Ronald Dela Rosa, Senator (video statement)
- “No one was hit, no one is wounded, no one was killed,” — Jonvic Remulla, Interior Secretary
- “we are all safe here.” — Mark Llandro Mendoza, Senate secretary
- “This is the Senate of the Philippines. We are allegedly under attack. The sergeant at arms has confirmed there were shots made here,” — Alan Peter Cayetano, Senate leader
- “Duterte’s allies believe they are above accountability, they do not recognise the sovereignty of international law and refuse accusations against them” — Jamela Alindogan, Al Jazeera correspondent
What’s Next
Cayetano’s scheduled Thursday session will review security protocols and the legal status of Dela Rosa’s sanctuary. The Senate is expected to vote on whether to lift his protection, while the ICC continues to seek cooperation from Philippine authorities. Parallel political tensions persist between President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, potentially influencing forthcoming impeachment deliberations.
