A string of gunshots was heard inside the Philippines Parliament after Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, an ally and the chief enforcer of the former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” campaign, locked himself inside to escape from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Philippine officers.
Who is Senator Ronald Dela Rosa?
Born on January 21, 1962 Ronald Dela Rosa is a retired police officer who has served as a senator of the Philippines since 2019. He served under the Rodrigo Duterte administration as the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from July 1, 2016, to April 19, 2018, overseeing the government’s war on drugs. He also served as director general of the Bureau of Corrections from April 30 to October 12, 2018.
Dela Rosa is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for crimes against humanity due to his involvement in the drug war during the administration of Duterte, who was arrested in March 2025 and is currently detained at The Hague.
Also Read- Chaos in Philippines Parliament As Duterte Ally Wanted by ICC Races in Senate Fleeing Arrest
The Shootout- What happened?
BREAKING:
Gunfire erupts inside the Philippine Senate 🇵🇭
A volley of more than a dozen gunshots broke out inside the Senate building during a tense standoff involving Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
The former national police chief under Rodrigo Duterte has been holed up in… pic.twitter.com/amR09Xm3vr
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 13, 2026
In the evening of May 13, more than 10 armed military personnel wearing camouflage uniforms arrived at the Philippine Senate building. At 19:48 PHT, the Philippine media reported at least five gunshots in the Senate building while Philippine National Police chief Melencio Nartatez reported 30 shots, with the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) and Remulla telling journalists that the shots fired were warning shots against the armed men attempting to enter the building.
Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza has confirmed that no casualties were reported during the incident. As of that evening, authorities had not identified who fired the gunshots or explained what caused the incident. President Ferdinand Marcos stated it was not the government that caused the shooting and that he did not order the NBI or any other government agency to conduct the shooting, and the police and marines present at the time of the shooting were simply there to secure the Senate during the proceeding.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has confirmed that dela Rosa is no longer in the Senate complex, saying the Senator left the Senate for “everyone’s safety.” He is also no longer under the protective custody of the Senate after he “voluntarily” left the building on the morning of May 14. The President of the nation has called an emergency meeting regarding the recent chaos.
