Senator Ronald dela Rosa flees Senate after ICC warrant and gunfire

The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant in late May 2025 for Philippine Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, accusing him of crimes against humanity for his role in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016‑2018 "war on drugs" that left at least 32 people dead. Dela Rosa, a former police chief, took refuge inside the Senate in Pasay City, where he was placed under "protective custody" on May 13, 2026.

During a live session that evening, gunshots and explosions were heard inside the Senate chambers after authorities attempted to serve the ICC warrant. Senate security, Marines and police exchanged fire for about three minutes; no injuries were reported and the exact source of the shots remains disputed. The chaos allowed Dela Rosa to slip out of the building early on May 14, a departure confirmed by Senate President Alan Cayetano, who said the senator left voluntarily. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appealed for calm and pledged an investigation.

The National Bureau of Investigation later said the suspected shooter was a volunteer driver, not an official agent. Human‑rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned the apparent obstruction of justice and called for the senator’s arrest. The incident has heightened political tension between the Marcos administration and the Duterte family, which is already embroiled in impeachment and other legal battles.