A photo of the aftermath of the shooting in the Philippine Senate. Source: Israelito Torreon

More than a dozen shots were heard inside the Senate building in Manila on May 13 as security forces moved around the complex amid fears that Senator Ronald dela Rosa could be arrested under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The incident forced journalists, staff, and officials to evacuate parts of the building as confusion spread through the halls of government.

Dela Rosa, a former national police chief and one of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s closest allies, is accused of crimes against humanity linked to the anti-drug campaign launched during Duterte’s presidency. The ICC unsealed an arrest warrant earlier this week, placing the veteran senator at the center of an escalating legal and political crisis.

Chaos Inside the Senate Building

Witnesses described scenes of panic after gunfire erupted shortly after armed security personnel entered the Senate complex. Authorities later confirmed that no casualties had been reported, although investigations into who fired the shots remain ongoing.

Dela Rosa had earlier appealed publicly for supporters to help prevent his possible arrest and transfer to The Hague. Speaking from inside the Senate, where he had sought protection, he insisted he had served the country faithfully and denied involvement in unlawful killings. The senator also argued that the Philippines should handle the case domestically instead of allowing international prosecution. His legal team filed an emergency petition before the Philippine Supreme Court seeking to block any transfer to the ICC.

"Dela Rosa had earlier appealed publicly for supporters to help prevent his possible arrest and transfer to The Hague."

The case has revived debate over the Duterte administration’s anti-drug operations, which police say killed more than 6,000 suspects during official campaigns.

Marcos Administration Faces Growing Pressure

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called an emergency meeting with senior security officials following the Senate incident as tensions continued to rise across the political landscape.

"Government agencies have denied ordering any arrest operation inside the Senate and said investigations are still underway to determine what triggered the gunfire."

The situation has become even more sensitive because of widening divisions between the Marcos administration and Duterte allies. Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president, accused the government of targeting political opponents and compared the situation to what she described as the controversial transfer of her father to ICC custody last year. Government agencies have denied ordering any arrest operation inside the Senate and said investigations are still underway to determine what triggered the gunfire.

The political uncertainty comes at a time when the Philippines is preparing for important electoral processes, including the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), scheduled for September 2026.

BARMM Filing Period Offers a Different Picture

While chaos unfolded in Manila, election officials and security agencies praised the peaceful filing of certificates of candidacy across BARMM earlier this month. The Philippine National Police and the Commission on Elections reported zero major incidents during the May 5 to 7 filing period across all 32 parliamentary districts. Authorities credited intelligence operations, coordination with local leaders, and the deployment of more than 9,000 security personnel for maintaining stability.

"PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the peaceful filing period reflected the collective desire for a credible democratic transition in the region."

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the peaceful filing period reflected the collective desire for a credible democratic transition in the region. Officials also emphasized the importance of keeping security forces neutral as campaigning and preparations continue.

The contrast between instability in Manila and calm electoral preparations in BARMM highlights the different political realities unfolding across the Philippines. In southern areas such as Sulu, where political tensions and armed conflict have shaped local history for decades, the peaceful election process is being closely watched as a test of whether democratic institutions can continue to replace violence and uncertainty with political participation and regional stability.

REFERENCES

Al Jazeera. (2026, May 13). Gunshots ring out at Philippine Senate where lawmaker is holed up. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com

CNA. (2026, May 14). Philippine president calls emergency meeting after chaos at Senate. CNA. https://www.channelnewsasia.com

CNA. (2026, May 13). Gunshots fired at Philippine Senate amid lawmaker standoff. CNA. https://www.channelnewsasia.com

Daily Tribune. (2026, May 12). PNP hails peaceful BARMM COC filing. Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph

Philippine News Agency. (2026, May 12). PNP hails peaceful BARMM COC filing. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph