Breaking News: May 13, 2026

Philippine Senate Lockdown: Gunfire, ICC Warrants, and Constitutional Crisis

On May 13, 2026, the Philippine Senate was placed under total lockdown following reports of at least five gunshots fired inside the building at 7:48 PM PHT . The violence erupted during a multi-day standoff as Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa sought “Senate protection” against an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for crimes against humanity, occurring simultaneously with the delivery of impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte.[1, 2, 3]

What Happened at the Philippine Senate Tonight?

Late on the evening of May 13, tensions at the GSIS building in Pasay reached a breaking point. Witnesses and journalists reported a burst of approximately 5–10 gunshots on the second floor, prompting the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) to order an immediate evacuation of media and staff.[1, 4, 3] Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano reported via Facebook Live at 8:19 PM PHT that the building was “allegedly under attack,” with senators forced to turn off lights and lock themselves in their offices for safety .

The ICC Warrant: Why Is Senator Bato Refusing Arrest?

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the former national police chief and architect of the Duterte-era “War on Drugs,” is currently listed as “at-large” on the ICC’s wanted persons list.[1, 2] The warrant, unsealed earlier this week, alleges crimes against humanity committed between 2016 and 2018 . Dela Rosa has vowed to fight the order, appealing to the military to resist any government attempt to hand him over to “foreigners” . Earlier today, the Supreme Court of the Philippines denied his request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the warrant .

Constitutional Rift: The Sara Duterte Impeachment

As gunshots rang out, the House of Representatives formally delivered the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate . This marks her second impeachment, primarily centered on the alleged misuse of confidential funds and a series of “assassination threats” made against President Bongbong Marcos and other top officials.[2] The overlap of a Senate lockdown and an impeachment proceeding represents the most significant political rift in the nation’s history .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Were there any casualties in the Senate shooting?

Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza confirmed that as of late May 13, no casualties have been reported.[2]Who fired the shots?

The source of the gunfire remains under investigation. While some senators alleged NBI involvement, NBI Director Melvin Matibag denied any agents were inside the building at the time .

Is Bato dela Rosa in custody?

No. As of tonight, Senator dela Rosa remains safe inside the Senate complex under the protection of the OSAA .