Gunfire Triggers Philippine Senate Lockdown Amid ICC Warrant

The Philippine Senate in Manila was placed on lockdown on Wednesday evening after rounds of gunfire were heard at the complex, as officials secured the building where Senator Ronald Dela Rosa was present. Authorities said there were no reported casualties and no arrests had been made. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said security forces were deployed to protect senators and that the government was not trying to arrest Dela Rosa.

Police commandos and anti-riot personnel were seen entering and surrounding the Senate premises as the investigation began. Officials did not identify who fired the shots or why. Senate speaker Alan Peter Cayetano urged the public to share any videos that could assist investigators.

Dela Rosa, a former national police chief under ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He has said he believed his arrest was imminent. Officials said he was safe and with security personnel.

ICC case and jurisdiction dispute

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa over alleged crimes against humanity tied to the deaths of dozens during Duterte’s “war on drugs,” which resulted in thousands of fatalities. Duterte has been held at The Hague since March 2025 and faces similar allegations.

The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber recently rejected arguments that the Philippines’ 2019 withdrawal from the Rome Statute removed the court’s jurisdiction. The judges cited that the alleged crimes occurred between 2011 and 2019, when the Philippines was a member.

Dela Rosa’s lawyers have appealed to the Supreme Court to block his extradition.

Political tensions around Duterte allies

The security incident unfolded against a tense political backdrop, with a feud between the Duterte family and the family of President Bongbong Marcos. The Senate is controlled by Duterte allies, and Vice President Sara Duterte is Duterte’s daughter.

Earlier this week, the lower house of Congress voted to initiate impeachment proceedings against Sara Duterte, though the Senate has the power to block such a move.

Investigators said they were still working to determine who fired the shots and what prompted the lockdown at the Senate complex.