Gunshots Fired in Philippine Senate During Senator Standoff
Gunshots were fired inside the Philippine Senate in Manila. Armed troops had entered the building during a standoff.
It is not confirmed who fired the shots. One Senate source said National Bureau of Investigation officers fired as they left.
But this is still being looked into. The standoff involved Senator Ronald dela Rosa.
He had spent two nights inside the Senate building. Allied senators placed him under their protection on Monday May 11.
That same day 13 of 24 senators took control of Senate leadership. The Interior Secretary arrived after the shots.
He said he was not there to arrest dela Rosa. President Marcos also said no government forces were ordered to arrest him.
Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court. The arrest warrant was first issued in November 2025 and made public on Monday May 11.
It charges him with crimes against humanity. Specifically it accuses him of the murder of at least 32 people between July 2016 and April 2018. The charges relate to his role overseeing Rodrigo Duterte's drug war in the Philippines.
Key Terms 5
- International Criminal Court A global court that prosecutes individuals for serious crimes like mass murder
- Crimes against humanity Serious crimes like mass murder committed against large groups of people
- War on drugs Rodrigo Duterte's violent campaign against drug users and dealers in the Philippines
- Protective custody When someone is kept safe by others to prevent their arrest or harm
- Rodrigo Duterte Former Philippine president known for a deadly anti-drug campaign