Several shots rang out in the Philippine Senate late Wednesday as authorities tried to arrest Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity linked to the country’s drug war.
Witnesses, including Associated Press and AFP journalists inside the complex, said they heard at least five gunshots, prompting panic among lawmakers, staff and members of the press.
‘Emotions run high’: Senate confirms shooting
Alan Peter Cayetano spoke briefly to reporters at the Senate and confirmed that security officials had reported the shooting.
“Emotions are high here,” Cayetano said. “This is the Senate of the Philippines and we are allegedly under attack.
He later added on social media that the situation remains unclear.
“We heard gunshots and we don’t know what’s going on. Everyone is locked in their rooms now. We can’t go out, we can’t secure the other employees,” he said.
“Why are we attacked here?… Please help us.
Cayetano said he did not know who fired the shots and did not provide further details before leaving the media area.
Armed personnel seen as lawmakers flee to safety
Journalists reported that soldiers wearing rifles and protective gear were moving around the Senate building shortly before gunfire rang out. Lawmakers, staff and reporters were seen fleeing or taking cover inside the legislative complex.
A television journalist was reportedly seen crying while reporting live from inside the building as panic spread through the corridors.
Dela Rosa hid in the Senate amid the arrest attempt
Dela Rosa remained in protective custody in the Senate, supported by allied lawmakers who resisted Philippine authorities’ efforts to detain him.
He is a former national police chief who served under former President Rodrigo Duterte during the early phase of the country’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
According to witnesses, his location was not immediately known after the shootout.
ICC arrest warrant for alleged drug war killings
On Monday, the ICC unsealed an arrest warrant against Dela Rosu, originally issued in November, charging him with crimes against humanity — specifically murder — in connection with at least 32 killings between July 2016 and April 2018.
That period coincided with his tenure as Philippine National Police chief during Duterte’s drug crackdown, which human rights groups say has left thousands dead.
The ICC says many of the victims were drug suspects killed during police operations or vigilante-style attacks.
Dela Rosa calls for backlash and legal challenge
Before the standoff, dela Rosa vowed to challenge the ICC order and exhaust all legal remedies.
He also called on supporters to gather in the Senate to prevent what he described as his impending arrest.
“My fellow citizens in uniform should express their opinion that the government should not hand me over to foreigners,” he said, addressing the military directly.
A failed earlier arrest attempt and rising tensions
Authorities had earlier tried to arrest dela Rosa on Monday, but he reportedly moved to the Senate floor and sought protection from allied senators.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation were involved in an earlier attempt that ended without his arrest.
Senate officials later said they would cite the agents for contempt after the incident.
Duterte-era drug war under renewed control
Dela Rosa, known as “Bato,” was one of the central figures in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, which human rights groups say has resulted in thousands of extrajudicial executions.
Duterte himself was arrested in March last year and is currently being held in The Hague awaiting trial on related charges.
The situation after the shooting is still unclear
Authorities had not confirmed by late Wednesday what triggered the shooting or whether there were any injuries at the Senate complex.
Security forces and lawmakers remained on alert as the situation inside the Philippine legislature continued to evolve.
