Gunfire erupted inside the Philippine Senate on Wednesday evening as police and marines moved to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal anti-drug campaign. More than a dozen gunshots were heard inside the legislative complex in Pasay City, sending journalists and staff running for cover as soldiers carrying rifles and wearing protective gear stormed up the stairs of the building.
The ICC had unsealed an arrest warrant for dela Rosa, a former national police chief who spearheaded Duterte's war on drugs between July 2016 and April 2018. The warrant charges him with the crime against humanity of murder of no fewer than 32 people during his tenure leading the Philippine National Police. Thousands of mostly poor and petty drug suspects were killed during the crackdown, which drew widespread international condemnation from human rights organizations and foreign governments.
Dela Rosa had been sheltering inside the Senate under the protection of allied lawmakers for several days, refusing to surrender to authorities. Senate President Alan Cayetano described the situation as extremely tense, stating that emotions were running high and that the Senate appeared to be under attack. Panic spread outside the building as supporters of the senator surged toward the Senate gates after hearing the gunfire from within the complex.
The standoff represents an unprecedented constitutional crisis in the Philippines, pitting the legislative branch against law enforcement agencies acting on an international court order. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously signaled willingness to cooperate with the ICC, reversing the stance of his predecessor Duterte, who withdrew the country from the court's jurisdiction in 2019. The current government rejoined the ICC in 2025 as part of broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and restore the country's human rights reputation.
It remained unclear who fired the shots inside the Senate complex, and authorities have not confirmed any casualties. Security forces reportedly secured parts of the building, though the full operation continued into the night. International observers and diplomats have called for restraint, warning that violence within a legislative chamber threatens democratic institutions. The ICC issued a statement urging Philippine authorities to execute the arrest warrant peacefully while respecting both the rule of law and the safety of all individuals present in the Senate.
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