Full Breakdown
Senate Gunfire Amid ICC Arrest Attempt on Senator Ronald Dela Rosa
5/13/2026, 10:26:23 PM
The Incident Inside the Senate
On the evening of 13 May 2026, multiple gunshots rang out in the Philippine Senate building in Pasay, Metro Manila. Armed troops and anti-riot police entered the complex, and journalists were ordered to take cover. No injuries were reported, but the chamber was locked down while authorities investigated the source of the fire.
Background: ICC Warrant and the Duterte Drug War
The International Criminal Court (ICC) unsealed an arrest warrant on 12 May 2026 for Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, a former national police chief who oversaw the anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The warrant accuses him of crimes against humanity for the murder of “no less than 32 persons” between July 2016 and April 2018. Human-rights monitors estimate that the nationwide drug war resulted in thousands of killings; Philippine police data cite over 6,000 deaths, while advocacy groups argue the true toll may be higher.
Key Actors
- Ronald Dela Rosa – Senator, former police chief, “Bato.”
- Alan Peter Cayetano – Senate President, ally of Dela Rosa.
- Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – President of the Philippines.
- Jonvic Remulla – Interior Secretary overseeing the Senate lockdown.
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – Attempted the initial arrest on Monday.
- International Criminal Court (ICC) – Issuer of the arrest warrant.
Timeline of Recent Events
- Monday 8 May: NBI agents attempted to arrest Dela Rosa; he fled to the Senate plenary hall and sought “protective custody.”
- Monday 12 May: ICC unsealed the arrest warrant (originally issued in November 2025).
- Wednesday 13 May, ? 20:00 local time: Gunshots heard; troops entered the Senate; lockdown declared.
Data & Statistics
- ICC charge: >= 32 victims (July 2016 – April 2018).
- Police-reported drug-war deaths: > 6,000 (2016-2022).
- Human-rights estimates: “thousands” of extrajudicial killings.
Official Statements & Responses
President Marcos Jr. called for calm, stating the government had no involvement in the shooting and would investigate. Senate President Cayetano described the atmosphere as “high-emotion” and affirmed that all senators were safe. Interior Secretary Remulla said security footage would be reviewed and assured that no arrest would be made without due process. The ICC reiterated its retained jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines remained a party to the Rome Statute.
Criticism & Opposition
A group of five opposition senators filed a resolution urging Dela Rosa’s surrender, while protesters outside the Senate demanded his transfer to The Hague. Human-rights organizations condemned the continued impunity of officials linked to the drug war and called for full cooperation with the ICC.
On-the-Ground Reports
Associated Press and local journalists reported at least five distinct gunshots, soldiers in camouflage with assault rifles moving through hallways, and staff being instructed to stay in secured rooms. No casualties were confirmed by any source.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on who fired the shots: some officials attribute them to retreating NBI agents, others to unidentified security personnel. All reports agree that the shooter’s identity remains unknown and that no one was injured.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is the Senate of the Philippines and we are allegedly under attack.” — Alan Peter Cayetano, Senate President
- “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
- “We will get to the bottom of this.” — Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President
- “If I have something to answer for, I will face those in our local courts and not before foreigners,” — Ronald Dela Rosa, Senator
- “We heard gunshots and we don't know what is happening. Everyone's locked in their rooms now. We cannot go out, we cannot secure our other staff,” — Alan Peter Cayetano, Senate President (Live Mint)
What’s Next
Dela Rosa has filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court to block any ICC-mandated transfer, and the court has set a 72-hour response window. Interior Secretary Remulla has ordered a review of the Senate’s CCTV footage to identify the shooter. The ICC is expected to monitor the Philippines’ compliance with its arrest warrant while the political stalemate in Manila continues.
