1,500 police personnel deployed after gunshots fired at PH Senate

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) said an estimated 1,500 police personnel were deployed at the Senate to ensure security after gunshots were heard in the building.

According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), "verification and assessment are ongoing on the volley of shots fired within the Senate." 

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is also at the Senate, the PNA said on X.

The PNA earlier reported that Interior Secretary  Jonvic Remulla arrived at the Senate "shortly after gunfire erupted within the premises."

The Senate was placed on lockdown and was tightly guarded by police, troops from the Philippine Marines, and the Senate Sargeant-at-Arms.

Meanwhile, according to a Reuters report, police patrolled outside the Philippine Senate on Wednesday (May 13) after Reuters witnesses heard volleys of gunshots and people were told to run for cover.

Chaos had mounted in anticipation of an attempt to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court.

It was unclear what was happening or who fired the shots. More than 10 military personnel in camouflage fatigues had earlier arrived at the Senate building, some carrying assault rifles, Reuters journalists saw.

It was not immediately clear why troops were there and military officials could not immediately be reached for comment. It was unclear if other security personnel were inside the building.

It came as Dela Rosa, the chief enforcer in former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody "war on drugs", said on Facebook his arrest was imminent and urged people to mobilize to prevent his handover to the ICC.

Dela Rosa, who has taken refuge in his legislative office since Monday (May 11), called on the public to turn out and block his arrest, saying that law enforcement agents were on the way following the ICC's unsealing of an arrest warrant.

The warrant, dated November and made public on Monday, seeks the arrest of the former police chief on charges of crimes against humanity, the same crimes 81-year-old Duterte is accused of as he awaits trial in The Hague following his arrest last year.

Paraluman News with Adrian Portugal, Natasa Bansagi/Reuters