Police commandos entered the Philippine Senate after witnesses reported gunfire as authorities attempted to arrest Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, who holds an International Criminal Court warrant.

Gunfire and lockdown

Gunshots rang out inside the Philippine Senate on 13 May 2026 as police commandos entered the building where Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa had taken refuge to avoid arrest on an International Criminal Court warrant, witnesses said.

The Senate was placed on lockdown following the incident. Police had been attempting to detain dela Rosa when the shots were fired.

Who is dela Rosa

Dela Rosa is a former national police chief who enforced the drug war pursued by former President Rodrigo Duterte. He now faces an ICC arrest warrant in connection with that campaign.

Dela Rosa had sought refuge inside the Senate building as authorities moved to detain him, the Senate president confirmed.

Senator flees

The Senate president subsequently said dela Rosa was "no longer in the building", indicating he had left the premises where he had sought refuge before or during the police operation.

Dela Rosa had previously evaded an earlier attempt to serve the ICC warrant against him.