More than 10 Philippine soldiers in camouflage, carrying guns, entered the Senate building on the evening of 13/5 to execute an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald Dela Rosa for alleged crimes against humanity, Reuters and AFP reported, citing reporters at the scene.

Soldiers carrying guns inside the Philippine Senate on the evening of 13/5. *Photo: ABS-CBN*

Minutes later, at least 15 gunshots rang out, plunging the Philippine Senate into chaos. Senators, aides, and reporters scrambled for cover, and security forces subsequently ordered everyone to evacuate the building.

The cause of the shooting and whether there were any casualties remains unclear. During the gunfire, Senator Dela Rosa was barricaded inside the Senate, protected by allied senators.

"We heard gunshots and don't know what is happening. Everyone is locked in their rooms. We cannot go out, nor can we ensure the safety of other staff", Philippine Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano wrote on Facebook. "Why are we being attacked here, please help us", he added.

Television images showed a reporter crying while broadcasting live from the scene, while Senator Robin Padilla urged the press to evacuate.

The moment a series of gunshots rang out in the Philippine Senate. *Video: ABS-CBN*

The chaos unfolded after the ICC confirmed on 11/5 that it had issued an arrest warrant for Senator Dela Rosa, 64, a long-time ally of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Mr. Dela Rosa faces charges of crimes against humanity for overseeing the anti-drug war launched by Mr. Duterte and carrying out extrajudicial killings.

Philippine Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla stated that Mr. Dela Rosa is safe and assured that no arrest warrant would be executed. He pledged to direct a review of Senate security cameras to determine what transpired.

Dela Rosa had not appeared publicly since 11/2025. The senator unexpectedly appeared at the Senate on 11/5 to participate in a vote that helped Duterte's loyalists gain control of the body, then barricaded himself in his office.

He called on the public to protest to prevent Philippine authorities from arresting and extraditing him to the ICC headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.

"I beg everyone. I hope everyone can help me. Don't let any more Philippine citizens be taken to The Hague", the senator said in a video posted on his personal Facebook.

Ronald Dela Rosa during his time as Philippine national police chief in 2017. *Photo: Reuters*

The ICC is a permanent international court established in 7/2002 based on the Rome Statute, a document adopted by more than 100 United Nations member states in 1998. Under the Rome Statute, the ICC focuses on prosecuting the world's most serious allegations, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression.

Mr. Duterte was arrested in Manila in 3/2025 on an ICC warrant, then transferred to the Netherlands, detained at Scheveningen prison, on charges of crimes against humanity related to the anti-drug war.

During his tenure as Davao mayor and Philippine president, Mr. Duterte launched the anti-drug war, allowing police to shoot drug suspects on sight without trial. This campaign was overseen by Mr. Dela Rosa, who was then the national police chief.

Philippine police stated the campaign resulted in over 6,000 deaths, but human rights groups estimate the actual number to be in the tens of thousands.

Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Reuters, ABS-CBN)