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Watch: Gunshots rock Philippine Senate amid ICC arrest for Senator dela Rosa
SP Alan Peter Cayetano reportedly said: "Turn off lights, stay low, if there are active shooters, follow protocol." It was not clear who fired the shots; reporters scampered outside the building
- PUBLISHED: Wed 13 May 2026, 4:24 PM UPDATED: Wed 13 May 2026, 8:05 PM
Multiple gunshots were fired inside the Philippine Senate premises on Wednesday amid rumors that Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa was to be arrested in connection with an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest order.
A Reuters report initially said, based on eyewitnesses inside the government building, that at least five gunshots were heard.
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Newly-installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano reportedly said: "Turn off lights, stay low, if there are active shooters follow protocol."
It was not clear who fired the shots, but reporters immediately scampered and went outside the building.
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Immediately prior to the gunshots, Senate security forces were seen donning bullet proof vests and were carrying assault rifles. The contingent of Philippine Marines providing perimeter security around the compound were also seen entering the building.
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Senate staff, reporters and visitors were escorted outside the building by authorities, who did a security sweep.
Where is 'Bato'?
Dela Rosa's whereabouts after the shooting were not immediately known.
Cayetano, who had barred government agents from arresting his ally, said on his official Facebook page he did not know who fired the shots.
"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," he added.
The ICC warrant issued against dela Rosa was dated November and made public only on Monday.
Dela Rosa is named as an indirect co-perpetrator in the crimes against humanity, the same charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte, who has been detained in The Hague after his arrest last year.
Early on Monday, dela Rosa posted a video on Facebook from his Senate office, saying: "I am appealing to you, I hope you can help me. Do not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague."
Dela Rosa, 64, was Duterte's top lieutenant overseeing a fierce crackdown during which thousands of alleged drug dealers were slain, with human rights groups accusing police of systematic murders and cover-ups.
Dela Rosa is not just a lawmaker. He was the former chief of the Philippine National Police and a battle-tested commando who relished sharing his exploits of killing rebels in the boondocks. He was also chief implementer of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs that killed tens of thousands of suspected drug dependents between 2011 and 2018. The ICC issued a warrant of arrest against him on November 6, 2025.
