By Samantha Yu
Staff Reporter
MANILA — Tension exploded inside the Philippine Senate on Wednesday evening after gunshots rang through the legislative complex amid an operation by police and military personnel seeking to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s bloody anti-drug campaign.
Journalists and Senate personnel scrambled for safety after more than a dozen shots were heard moments after heavily armed security forces entered the upper levels of the Senate building.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and panic as authorities ordered an immediate lockdown and evacuation of portions of the complex.
The source of the gunfire was not immediately established, and authorities had yet to release an official explanation regarding the incident as of late Wednesday night.
Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief and one of the closest allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, had earlier appealed publicly for support as reports spread that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued a warrant for his arrest.
In a video message posted on Facebook, the senator urged supporters to gather at the Senate and prevent authorities from transferring him to The Hague.
“I hope you can help me. Do not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague,” dela Rosa said.
Security activity intensified shortly after the appeal, with law enforcement personnel gathering outside the Senate premises. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca was seen coordinating movements as armed personnel in tactical gear entered the building.
The ICC reportedly unsealed the arrest warrant earlier this week, accusing dela Rosa of crimes against humanity connected to the Duterte administration’s anti-narcotics crackdown, which resulted in thousands of deaths during police operations and vigilante-style killings.
The senator has denied involvement in unlawful killings and insisted he merely carried out policies aimed at combating illegal drugs and criminality.
Speaking to reporters from inside his Senate office, where he had reportedly remained under protective custody since Monday, dela Rosa became emotional while defending his record in government service.
“I did everything for the country. I did not enrich myself. I worked faithfully,” he said.
He also appealed directly to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., asking the administration not to surrender him to international authorities.
“As the father of the nation, I hope you will take care of Filipinos,” dela Rosa said. “One day you may understand what I am feeling right now.”
Dela Rosa served as the chief architect of Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs,” a campaign that propelled Duterte to the presidency in 2016 on promises of crushing narcotics and criminal syndicates through aggressive police action.
Official government records place the death toll from anti-drug operations at more than 6,000, though human rights organizations estimate the number could be significantly higher, including victims allegedly killed by vigilantes operating with police tolerance or support.
The Philippine government and police leadership have repeatedly denied allegations of systematic executions, insisting officers acted in self-defense when suspects resisted arrest.
The ICC began examining the Duterte drug war after complaints from victims’ families and rights groups accused state forces of carrying out widespread and coordinated killings targeting suspected drug offenders, many from impoverished communities.
Former President Duterte, who was arrested last year and transferred to The Hague, has consistently maintained his innocence. His legal team argued that his fiery rhetoric against criminals was intended to deter lawbreakers rather than encourage unlawful violence.
Wednesday’s confrontation at the Senate marked one of the most dramatic political standoffs in recent Philippine history, raising fresh questions over the country’s cooperation with international justice mechanisms and the widening political divisions surrounding accountability for the anti-drug campaign.
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