Gunfire Erupts In Philippine Senate During ICC Warrant Standoff Over Sen. Dela Rosa
A burst of gunfire rang out inside the Philippine Senate on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as police moved to take Sen. Ronald dela Rosa into custody, where he had been sheltered by allied senators.[1]
Senate President Alan Cayetano said security had confirmed gunshots and warned, "This is the Senate of the Philippines and we are allegedly under attack." NPR Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. arrived at the Senate with police officers, and reporters and camera crews were briefly held on the second floor before some were allowed to leave.[1] National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to arrest dela Rosa on Monday; he evaded capture by running into the plenary hall and the Senate later placed him in "protective custody." NPR
An International Criminal Court arrest warrant was issued in November and unsealed on Monday, May 11, 2026.[1] The warrant accuses dela Rosa of the crime against humanity of murder for "no less than 32" killings between July 2016 and April 2018 while he headed the national police.[1]
Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in March 2025 and flown to The Hague, where he remains in ICC detention.[1] The ICC has named dela Rosa as one of several alleged co-perpetrators in the case tied to the drug war.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, a burst of gunfire rang out inside the Philippine Senate where Sen. Ronald dela Rosa had been staying under the protection of allied senators; the incident occurred as authorities sought to take him into custody (the Philippine Senate).
- Senate President Alan Cayetano told journalists security had confirmed gunshots were fired and said, "This is the Senate of the Philippines and we are allegedly under attack" before leaving the scene (Senate President Alan Cayetano).
- Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. arrived at the Senate with police officers on the night of May 13, 2026, and reporters and camera crews were initially held on the second floor before some were allowed to leave the building (Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr.).
- An International Criminal Court warrant, originally issued in November and unsealed on Monday, May 11, 2026, charges Sen. dela Rosa with the crime against humanity of murder for "no less than 32" killings between July 2016 and April 2018 while he led the national police (International Criminal Court warrant).
- National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to arrest dela Rosa in the Senate on Monday, May 11, 2026; he evaded arrest by dashing into the plenary hall and seeking help from fellow senators, after which the Senate placed him in "protective custody" (National Bureau of Investigation agents).
- Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in March 2025 and flown to The Hague, where he remains in ICC detention facing trial for alleged crimes against humanity related to the drug war, and dela Rosa has been named by the ICC as one of several alleged co-perpetrators (former President Rodrigo Duterte).
- Dela Rosa urged his followers on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, to gather at the Senate to try to prevent what he described as his impending arrest—writing, "We should not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague, the second one after President Duterte"—and he says he is willing to face allegations in Philippine courts but rejects being tried by "foreigners" and denies condoning extrajudicial killings (Dela Rosa).
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Wednesday night, May 13, 2026 (local time), a burst of gunfire rang out inside the Philippine Senate where Sen. Ronald dela Rosa has been staying under the protection of allied senators.
- NPR reports that Sen. dela Rosa is wanted on an International Criminal Court warrant, originally issued in November and unsealed Monday, charging him with the crime against humanity of murder for "no less than 32" killings between July 2016 and April 2018 while he led the national police under President Rodrigo Duterte.
- Senate President Alan Cayetano appeared briefly before journalists, said security had confirmed gunshots were fired, and stated, "This is the Senate of the Philippines and we are allegedly under attack," before leaving without further detail.
- Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. arrived at the Senate with police officers on Wednesday night; reporters and camera crews were initially held on the second floor and later some were allowed to leave the building.
- NPR details that National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to arrest dela Rosa in the Senate on Monday, but he evaded arrest by dashing into the plenary hall and seeking help from fellow senators, after which the Senate placed him in "protective custody."
- The article notes that former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in March 2025 and flown to The Hague, where he remains in ICC detention facing trial for alleged crimes against humanity related to the drug war, with dela Rosa named as one of several co-perpetrators.
- Dela Rosa called on his followers Wednesday night to gather at the Senate to prevent what he described as his impending arrest, saying in a Facebook message, "We should not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague, the second one after President Duterte."
- Dela Rosa said he is willing to face allegations in Philippine courts but rejects being tried by "foreigners" and denies condoning extrajudicial killings while he led the police force.