Gunshots ring out at Philippine senate as ICC seeks arrest of former police chief
Senate officials said no casualties were reported as the chamber locked down while authorities tried to arrest the senator wanted by the International Criminal Court.
- On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, multiple gunshots rang out inside the Philippine Senate as law enforcement attempted to arrest Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, triggering a lockdown with no reported casualties.
- The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant charging dela Rosa with murder of "no less than 32 persons" between July 2016 and April 2018, alleging crimes against humanity during President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign.
- Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed gunfire on the premises, stating, "This is the Senate of the Philippines and we are allegedly under attack," while unidentified shooters left the situation under assessment.
- Dela Rosa sought refuge in his legislative office since Monday and urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to extradite him, stating, "If I have something to answer for, I will face those in our local courts and not before foreigners."
- Vice President Sara Duterte blamed President Marcos for the "kidnapping" of her father, echoing concerns that dela Rosa may follow former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested and transferred to The Hague last year.
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65 Articles
Gunshots at Philippine Senate as wanted lawmaker holds out
MANILA - Multiple gunshots sent Philippine senators into hiding in their offices late Wednesday, as a legislator wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the country’s deadly war on drugs sought refuge in the building.
Tensions Escalate: Gunfire Erupts at Philippine Senate Amid ICC Arrest Warrant for Former Police Chief
Chaos unfolded at the Philippine Senate as gunfire rang out amid attempts to arrest Ronald dela Rosa, a former police chief wanted by the ICC for crimes against humanity. Dela Rosa has urged the public to obstruct his arrest, while troops with assault rifles arrived, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.
Shots were heard this Wednesday inside the Philippine Senate during an impasse involving Senator Ronald de la Rosa, ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte and the target of a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICT). The parliamentary complex entered lockdown, people were targeted to seek shelter and armed military surrounded the building, amidst the growing political crisis in the country caused by investigations into the violent a…
Gunshots have been fired in the Manila Senate building, where Senator Ronald Dela Rosa has been trying to escape arrest for days.
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