‘I got really scared’: how the Philippine Senate shoot-out unfolded

Gunfire erupted Wednesday night at the Philippine Senate as authorities attempted to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity related to the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign. He has been under the protection of allied senators within the Senate building. The exact cause of the gunfire and any potential injuries remain unclear. Dela Rosa has vowed to resist the ICC arrest warrant, which was unsealed earlier this week and charges him with the murder of at least 32 people. Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. arrived at the Senate with police officers following the incident.

Gunshots were heard at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday evening as police and marines attempted to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa, former police chief under ex-President Rodrigo Duterte and a key figure in the "war on drugs," faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity. He had publicly urged supporters to gather at the Senate to prevent his detention and transfer to The Hague. Dela Rosa has been under Senate protective custody since Monday and denies involvement in illegal killings, stating he is ready to face justice in the Philippines. The ICC warrant, unsealed this week, is related to the same crimes Duterte is accused of.

The Philippine Senate is under lockdown after gunshots were heard, with military personnel entering the building. Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged killings during the war on drugs, had reportedly sought refuge there and believed his arrest was imminent. The ICC accuses Dela Rosa of responsibility for numerous deaths when he served as police chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte. Protesters outside the Senate demanded Dela Rosa's detention and extradition to face trial alongside Duterte, who has been at The Hague since March 2025. Dela Rosa's lawyers are seeking to block his extradition through the Supreme Court. Officials have stated there are no casualties.

Gunshots were heard at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday amidst escalating chaos. Reuters witnesses reported people being told to seek cover as the situation unfolded. The incident occurred in anticipation of a potential attempt to arrest a prominent senator wanted by the International Criminal Court. It remains unclear who fired the shots or the precise circumstances surrounding the event. Earlier, over ten military personnel in camouflage, some armed with assault rifles, were observed at the Senate building, though their presence and purpose were not immediately explained. Military officials were unavailable for comment at the time.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has been impeached for a second time. This follows a period of escalating political tension and a breakdown of the alliance between Duterte and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who ran together in the 2022 elections. Allies of President Marcos in the House of Representatives initiated investigations into alleged fund misuse in Duterte's office. The impeachment proceedings are occurring amidst Duterte's strong presidential polling numbers and her father's ongoing trial at the International Criminal Court. The exact reasons for the impeachment and the specific charges are not detailed in the provided text, but the context points to a significant political rift and power struggle.

Philippine lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, with 255 out of 318 representatives supporting the move. This decision, made on Monday, advances the impeachment process to the Senate, where a trial will determine her political future and potentially impact her 2028 presidential aspirations. The impeachment petition, filed by activists, cites accusations of misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth accumulation, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the former House speaker. A House justice committee had previously found probable cause for the impeachment.

The Philippine House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, May 11, 2026, in Quezon City. Lawmakers cited suspected wealth and threats as reasons for the impeachment. The vote occurred amidst protests calling for her removal. Representative Paolo Duterte, her brother, was present before the session. The impeachment process will now move to the Senate for further proceedings.

Philippine Senator Ronald Dela Rosa has reportedly taken refuge inside the country's parliament to evade an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The warrant, unsealed on Monday, stems from Dela Rosa's role as former police chief during ex-President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly war on drugs, which prosecutors allege resulted in tens of thousands of deaths between 2016 and 2022. The ICC has charged Dela Rosa as an "indirect co-perpetrator" in the crime against humanity of murder for killings carried out between July 2016 and April 2018. This action follows the ICC's confirmation of crimes against humanity charges against former President Duterte. Dela Rosa had previously disappeared from public life amid rumors of an impending warrant but resurfaced to cast a deciding vote in a Senate leadership change.

Philippine Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, a former police chief and enforcer of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte's drug war, will not be arrested for now, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stated they would respect the Senate's coequal status after Dela Rosa took refuge within the legislative building. The Senate refused to allow his arrest, effectively placing him in their custody. This decision comes as the ICC confirmed the warrant for his alleged role in the controversial drug crackdown. The stand-off highlights the ongoing tension between national authorities and the international court regarding the drug war investigations.