Writer : marjuk and whisper wire global team
Published: 13 May 2026, 11:00 Pm
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| Tensions escalated at the Philippine Senate after gunshots were heard during a standoff involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa. |
Gunshots Fired at Philippine Senate During Standoff Over Senator Ronald dela Rosa
Chaos erupted inside the Philippine Senate after gunshots were heard during a tense standoff involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a close ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte and a former national police chief. The dramatic incident unfolded as authorities reportedly moved closer to executing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against the senator.
According to Philippine officials and local media reports, dela Rosa had taken refuge inside the Senate building for several days while seeking legal protection from possible arrest and extradition to The Hague. The ICC accuses him of crimes against humanity linked to the deadly anti-drug campaign carried out under Duterte’s administration.
Witnesses said panic spread through the Senate complex after gunfire suddenly rang out, forcing lawmakers, journalists, and staff members to take cover. Security personnel and armed officers were later seen surrounding the building as tensions escalated. No immediate casualties or injuries were reported.
Conflicting accounts emerged regarding who fired the shots and whether security forces had officially launched an arrest operation. Philippine authorities said an investigation is underway to determine the source of the gunfire and identify those involved in the confrontation.
The standoff has intensified political divisions in the Philippines, where the legacy of Duterte’s controversial drug war continues to dominate national politics. Supporters of dela Rosa and the Duterte family argue that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, while human rights groups insist accountability is necessary for thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings.
The incident marks one of the most serious security crises inside the Philippine Senate in recent years and has raised fresh concerns about political instability, judicial independence, and the growing tensions surrounding the ICC investigation.
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