Philippine Senator Resists Arrest, Gunshots Heard in Congress Building; President Convenes Emergency Meeting
After being wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), incumbent Philippine Senator Ronald Dela Rosa hid in the Congress building. The Senate was thrown into chaos last night with the sound of gunfire, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to convene an emergency meeting today.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 16:23
- 🔍 Collected: May 14, 2026 at 16:32 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 15, 2026 at 02:26 (9h 53m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Manila, 14th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) After incumbent Philippine Senator Ronald Dela Rosa was wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), he hid in the Congress building. Gunshots rang out in the Senate last night, creating a tense situation. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. convened an emergency meeting today.
The 64-year-old Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief and the main enforcer of former President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody 'war on drugs,' is wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity. He has called on his supporters to take to the streets to block law enforcement from arresting him.
The Hague-based ICC recently confirmed that it had issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa last year, accusing him of crimes against humanity during the controversial anti-drug campaign. The Philippine government arrested the 81-year-old Duterte in March 2025 and sent him to The Hague for trial on the same charges.
Reuters reported that Duterte is expected to become the first former Asian head of state to be tried at the ICC.
Late last night, more than a dozen gunshots were heard in the Senate building, causing chaos as people scrambled for cover. A large police presence was deployed inside, while protesters gathered outside.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a meeting with his security chiefs today.
Police spokesman Randulf Tuano said that one person has been arrested, and shell casings, an assault rifle magazine, and other evidence were recovered from the scene. The incident is under investigation.
'The suspect has provided some names, but they still need to be verified,' Tuano told DZBB radio.
● Dela Rosa's Whereabouts Unknown
It is currently unclear who fired the shots or whether Dela Rosa is still inside the Senate today.
His lawyer, Jimmy Bondoc, revealed while entering the heavily guarded Congress building that he had contacted Dela Rosa late at night and believes he is still inside.
'As Dela Rosa's lawyer, I asked him if he intended to leave, and he said no,' Bondoc told the media.
Marcos Jr. and relevant government agencies have stressed that they did not order Dela Rosa's arrest.
Officials said today that an unidentified person attempted to force their way into the Senate. Their identity has not yet been made public.
In a program aired on DZBB radio early this morning, Dela Rosa said he would 'exhaust all possible remedies' to avoid being extradited to the ICC.
Dela Rosa also said he was unwilling to go to The Hague for trial after learning about the conditions of Duterte's detention.
It could not be determined when this interview with Dela Rosa took place. Dela Rosa has previously denied his involvement in extrajudicial killings during the anti-drug campaign. (Translation: Chi Chin-Ling) 1150514
The 64-year-old Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief and the main enforcer of former President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody 'war on drugs,' is wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity. He has called on his supporters to take to the streets to block law enforcement from arresting him.
The Hague-based ICC recently confirmed that it had issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa last year, accusing him of crimes against humanity during the controversial anti-drug campaign. The Philippine government arrested the 81-year-old Duterte in March 2025 and sent him to The Hague for trial on the same charges.
Reuters reported that Duterte is expected to become the first former Asian head of state to be tried at the ICC.
Late last night, more than a dozen gunshots were heard in the Senate building, causing chaos as people scrambled for cover. A large police presence was deployed inside, while protesters gathered outside.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a meeting with his security chiefs today.
Police spokesman Randulf Tuano said that one person has been arrested, and shell casings, an assault rifle magazine, and other evidence were recovered from the scene. The incident is under investigation.
'The suspect has provided some names, but they still need to be verified,' Tuano told DZBB radio.
● Dela Rosa's Whereabouts Unknown
It is currently unclear who fired the shots or whether Dela Rosa is still inside the Senate today.
His lawyer, Jimmy Bondoc, revealed while entering the heavily guarded Congress building that he had contacted Dela Rosa late at night and believes he is still inside.
'As Dela Rosa's lawyer, I asked him if he intended to leave, and he said no,' Bondoc told the media.
Marcos Jr. and relevant government agencies have stressed that they did not order Dela Rosa's arrest.
Officials said today that an unidentified person attempted to force their way into the Senate. Their identity has not yet been made public.
In a program aired on DZBB radio early this morning, Dela Rosa said he would 'exhaust all possible remedies' to avoid being extradited to the ICC.
Dela Rosa also said he was unwilling to go to The Hague for trial after learning about the conditions of Duterte's detention.
It could not be determined when this interview with Dela Rosa took place. Dela Rosa has previously denied his involvement in extrajudicial killings during the anti-drug campaign. (Translation: Chi Chin-Ling) 1150514