Senator Ronald Dela Rosa sought refuge inside the Philippine Senate on May 11 after the International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant against him for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs [1]. The 64-year-old senator remained inside the Senate compound when government agents attempted to arrest him two days later.
On May 13, shots rang out near the Senate building amid chaotic scenes as authorities tried to apprehend Dela Rosa [2, 1]. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca was identified by investigators as the first person to fire a shot, reportedly a warning, after seeing a group of armed men attempting to enter the Senate grounds [2, 1]. Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said, "All evidence points that there was no attack on the Senate. Government agents never set foot inside the Senate building," emphasizing that no government personnel breached the legislature [2].
National Police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez revealed 44 fired cartridges from four firearms were recovered at the scene, underscoring the scale of the gunfire that occurred outside the Senate [1]. Despite the tense confrontation, government agents were unable to enter the building.
Following the incident, Dela Rosa escaped in a vehicle registered to fellow Senator Robin Padilla, reaching an unknown destination [2, 1]. The senate investigation into the shooting is now in the hands of the Department of Justice, tasked with clarifying details of the breach and the use of force [1].
Dela Rosa’s case follows the 2025 arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently awaiting trial at the ICC headquarters in The Hague [2, 1]. The Senate has prioritized the probe into the security breach and gunfire as calls for accountability grow.
Authorities have yet to announce dates for further hearings or when the DOJ will release its findings on the shooting incident.
