Philippine Senate in lockdown after gunshots fired
Philippine Senate in Lockdown Following Gunshots at Building
Senators Take Shelter as ICC-Linked Arrest Unfolds
Philippine Senate in lockdown after gunshots – The Philippine Senate has been placed under lockdown after rounds of gunfire were reported near the building in Manila. Military personnel were observed entering the premises as Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), sought refuge inside. The source of the shots remains unclear, though no casualties have been confirmed. The situation has prompted heightened security measures, with senators reportedly confined to their chambers and the building sealed off from public access.
Gunfire was heard inside the Senate building, though the source of the shots remains uncertain. Security forces, including anti-riot police, were deployed to surround the area, creating a tense standoff. While the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation, the presence of military units suggests a coordinated effort to apprehend Dela Rosa. Senate speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has urged citizens to provide any video evidence that might aid in determining the circumstances of the shooting.
Dela Rosa, a former police chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte, faces charges from the ICC for alleged extrajudicial killings during the country’s drug war. The court has accused him of orchestrating the deaths of dozens of individuals, part of a broader campaign that resulted in thousands of suspected drug dealers being executed. Duterte himself is currently on trial at The Hague, having been indicted under the ICC’s Rome Statute since March 2025. His legal team has previously contested the court’s jurisdiction, but recent rulings have strengthened the case against him.
On Wednesday evening, television footage captured police commandos in tactical gear entering the Senate building. The scenes showed anti-riot officers forming a perimeter, their shields and helmets visible as they prepared for potential confrontations. Demonstrators gathered outside, chanting for Dela Rosa’s detention and demanding his extradition to face charges alongside Duterte. The protest highlights growing public sentiment against the ICC’s pursuit of officials linked to Duterte’s tenure, which saw widespread killings in the name of the drug war.
“We are not here to arrest Senator Dela Rosa. In fact, we are here to protect him,” said Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who confirmed the president’s orders to secure the senators. The official added that the military’s presence was a precautionary measure, emphasizing the urgency of the situation without revealing specific details about the shooting.
Dela Rosa’s legal team has launched an appeal to the Supreme Court, seeking to block his extradition to the ICC. The senator’s whereabouts are currently unknown, despite his earlier claims that his arrest was imminent. He had reportedly urged Filipinos to take action to prevent his capture, citing fears of a rushed trial. The ICC’s charges against him stem from a period when the Philippines was still a member of the Rome Statute, despite Duterte’s public defiance of the court’s authority.
The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber recently rejected Duterte’s argument that the Philippines withdrew from the agreement during his presidency. The decision clarified that the alleged crimes—committed between 2011 and 2019—occurred while the country was still part of the ICC, making Dela Rosa’s case legally valid. This ruling has intensified pressure on the government to proceed with his arrest, even as his lawyers argue for procedural fairness.
Security operations at the Senate have been ongoing since the incident began, with no arrests reported yet. Remulla emphasized that the focus was on protecting Dela Rosa, not capturing him, while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining order. The lockdown has disrupted legislative activities, with senators remaining inside the building as investigators work to piece together the events of the day. The situation underscores the intersection of domestic politics and international legal scrutiny in the Philippines.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has maintained a firm stance on the matter, ensuring that the military’s involvement is framed as a protective measure rather than a preemptive strike. This approach aims to shield Dela Rosa from immediate backlash while allowing the ICC to continue its case. However, the government’s position has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who argue that the delay in capturing the senator could jeopardize the trial’s credibility.
The drug war, which Duterte initiated in 2016, remains a contentious issue in Philippine society. While the government credits it for reducing drug-related crimes, critics accuse it of excessive violence and lack of due process. Dela Rosa’s case is emblematic of the broader scrutiny faced by officials who participated in the campaign. His alleged role in the killings has placed him at the center of a political storm, with supporters and detractors divided over the justice system’s reach.
As the Senate remains in lockdown, the focus has shifted to the implications of Dela Rosa’s detention. If he is arrested, his trial could provide a critical test of the ICC’s influence in the Philippines. The senator’s lawyers are preparing to argue that his case should be heard in a national court, citing jurisdictional disputes and the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute. However, the ICC’s authority has been upheld in recent rulings, setting the stage for a high-profile legal battle.
The incident has also reignited debates about the role of the military in domestic affairs. While security forces are typically tasked with maintaining order, their involvement in the Senate’s lockdown raises questions about the balance between national defense and political accountability. Citizens have expressed mixed reactions, with some supporting the move to apprehend Dela Rosa and others fearing a government overreach into judicial processes.
International observers have noted the significance of Dela Rosa’s arrest in the context of Duterte’s trial. The ICC’s ongoing proceedings against the former president have set a precedent for holding leaders accountable for their actions, even as the Philippines continues to assert its sovereignty. The senator’s case could further test the resilience of this legal framework, highlighting the complexities of prosecuting high-ranking officials in a politically charged environment.
In the aftermath of the lockdown, the Senate is expected to reconvene once the situation stabilizes. Meanwhile, the public remains divided, with calls for both justice and protection of political figures. The incident underscores the delicate interplay between law enforcement, international institutions, and the Filipino people’s perception of accountability. As the investigation continues, the outcome could shape the future of the ICC’s influence in the region and the legacy of Duterte’s drug war.
Simon Fraser and Ella Kipling contributed to this report from Manila. Their coverage highlighted the evolving dynamics of the situation, from the immediate response to the broader legal and political ramifications. The story has captured global attention, with many watching to see how the Philippines navigates its relationship with the ICC amid domestic pressures. The days ahead will be crucial in determining whether the senator’s arrest marks a turning point or a temporary escalation in the ongoing conflict between the government and the international court.