Source TOI
MANILA, Philippines — Chaos erupted at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday evening as gunshots rang out within the legislative complex, where Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has taken refuge to evade an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for crimes against humanity.
The gunfire sent lawmakers, staff, and journalists scrambling for cover, marking a violent escalation in the standoff between the Philippine government and the former police chief who spearheaded Rodrigo Duterte’s notorious “war on drugs.”
Gunfire in the Halls of Power
At approximately 6:00 PM local time, more than a dozen gunshots were heard near the Senate elevator and upper floors. The incident occurred shortly after a group of armed personnel in camouflage fatigues and protective gear was seen entering the building.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the source of the fire:
Senate Officials: Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza stated that law enforcement officers, believed to be from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), attempted to enter the premises and fired as they retreated.
Law Enforcement: NBI Director Melvin Matibag denied any agency involvement, stating no agents had been deployed to the Senate.
Military Presence: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that military personnel were sent at the Senate’s request to “assist in securing the facility.”
The ICC Warrant
The violence follows the Monday unsealing of an ICC arrest warrant for Dela Rosa. The 64-year-old senator is accused of crimes against humanity, specifically murder and attempted murder, during his tenure as the chief architect of the Duterte administration’s drug crackdown.
Dela Rosa, who had been largely absent from public view since late 2025, reappeared at the Senate this week seeking “protective custody.” In a tearful Facebook Live broadcast shortly before the shooting, he appealed to his supporters and the military:
“I am appealing to you, I hope you can help me. Do not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague.”
A Nation on Edge
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an urgent call for calm, distancing his administration from the chaotic scene at the legislature. “We will get to the bottom of this,” the President said in a video message, asserting that no official orders had been given to breach the Senate to arrest Dela Rosa.
While the Senate remains under lockdown, Dela Rosa’s legal team has filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court to block his transfer to the ICC. The court has given all parties 72 hours to respond, but with the Senate complex now a scene of armed tension, the legal battle has effectively moved into the streets.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is already in ICC custody awaiting trial, remains the central figure in the investigation that human rights groups claim claimed the lives of over 6,000 Filipinos. If transferred, Dela Rosa would be the highest-ranking sitting official to face trial in The Hague for the drug war’s legacy.
