The Philippine Senate was placed under **lockdown** following reports of **gunshots** and the presence of military personnel. The incident occurred while **Senator Ronald Dela Rosa**, a lawmaker wanted by the **International Criminal Court (ICC)**, was reportedly seeking refuge within the building.
Details of the Incident
Rounds of gunfire were reported, though officials have not disclosed who fired the shots. Authorities confirmed **no casualties** resulted from the incident. Earlier, Senator Dela Rosa had expressed belief that his arrest was imminent and called upon Filipinos to prevent it. Officials have stated that he is safe and accompanied by security personnel.
Allegations and ICC Involvement
Senator Dela Rosa faces accusations from the ICC for the alleged killing of dozens of individuals during his tenure as police chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’. This campaign resulted in the deaths of thousands of alleged dealers. Former President Duterte himself has been held at The Hague since March 2025.
Scene at the Senate
Television footage displayed police commandos in fatigues entering the Senate building in Manila on Wednesday evening, with anti-riot police forming a perimeter. Outside, **protesters** gathered, demanding Dela Rosa’s detention and his transfer to stand trial alongside Duterte. Dela Rosa’s legal team has appealed to the Supreme Court to prevent his extradition. The Senate building has remained under lockdown since the shots were fired, with senators reportedly remaining inside.
Government Response and Political Context
The government has denied any attempt to arrest Senator Dela Rosa, stating it is actively investigating the source of the gunfire. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla affirmed that the president had issued **”strict instructions” to ensure the safety of the senators**. Remulla clarified, “We are not here to arrest Senator Dela Rosa. In fact, we are here to protect him. Let that be clear. I made that clear to his family.” No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Senate Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano urged the public to provide “any videos that could help with the investigation.”
The Senate is currently controlled by allies of former President Duterte, whose daughter, **Sara Duterte**, serves as the Vice President. A significant political development saw the alliance between the Duterte and current President Bongbong Marcos families collapse two years ago, leading to a bitter feud. Recently, the lower house of congress voted to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Vice President, a move that the Senate holds the power to block.
ICC Jurisdiction and Legal Challenges
Former President Duterte has consistently refused to acknowledge ICC proceedings, arguing that the Philippines withdrew from the **Rome Statute**, the ICC’s founding agreement, in 2019 during his presidency. However, last month, judges in the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber rejected this argument. They ruled that the alleged crimes occurred between 2011 and 2019, a period when the Philippines was still a member of the ICC, thereby paving the way for Duterte to face trial.
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