Tension erupted inside the Philippine Senate on Wednesday after multiple gunshots were heard during a dramatic standoff involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the country’s bloody anti-drug war.
According to reports from AFP, Reuters and other international media, chaos broke out after security operatives and military personnel reportedly moved into the Senate complex in Manila, where Dela Rosa has been under what Senate officials described as “protective custody” for days to avoid arrest. Witnesses said heavily armed personnel carrying assault rifles were seen entering the building shortly before several gunshots rang out, forcing senators, journalists and workers to take cover inside offices and hallways.
Philippine Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla confirmed that shots were fired but said no casualties had been reported as of Wednesday evening. “We do not know who is behind this,” Remulla reportedly told journalists outside the Senate building, while insisting authorities were trying to secure the area and prevent further escalation.
Dela Rosa, a former national police chief under ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, is accused by the ICC of crimes against humanity connected to thousands of killings carried out during Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign between 2016 and 2018. The ICC recently confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued against the senator, intensifying political tensions in the Philippines.
The senator has denied wrongdoing and has reportedly refused to surrender to international authorities. Local reports said he sought refuge inside the Senate building earlier this week after learning of plans to arrest him. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano was also reported to have questioned attempts by law enforcement agencies to detain Dela Rosa within the legislative complex, insisting that any arrest should follow proper legal procedures under Philippine law.
Wednesday’s violence marked a sharp escalation in an already volatile political crisis that has deepened divisions between allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and supporters of the Duterte political camp. The unfolding drama comes amid broader political turmoil in the country, including the impeachment battle involving Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president.
Security forces later sealed parts of the Senate complex as investigations into the gunfire continued. Authorities have yet to identify who fired the shots or confirm whether the incident was directly linked to attempts to arrest Dela Rosa. The senator, however, reportedly remained inside the Senate building as of late Wednesday, while tensions continued to mount around the standoff.
