Philippine authorities confirmed the arrest of a suspect on Thursday morning, just hours after a chaotic shooting incident paralyzed the national Senate. The building had become a focal point of international tension as Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a primary target of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, sought refuge within its halls to evade extradition.
The suspect was apprehended on the second floor of the Senate building, according to police spokesperson Brigadier-General Randulf Tuano. Authorities reportedly seized live ammunition from the individual, who is currently undergoing forensic testing for gunshot residue.
While the identity of the shooter and the motive remain under investigation, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla noted that Senate security personnel had originally fired warning shots after a group of armed men breached the facility’s stairwell. The unidentified gunmen reportedly fired into the air before fleeing, leaving lawmakers and staff barricaded in their offices throughout the night.
Read more about this topic: ICC: Duterte aid fled due to gunfire and lockdown at Philippines Senate (with videos)
The violence erupted as the Philippine government grapples with an ICC warrant unsealed earlier this week, charging Dela Rosa with crimes against humanity. The charges stem from his role as national police chief during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs,” specifically linked to the murders of at least 32 people between 2016 and 2018.
While Dela Rosa had been under “protective custody” provided by his Senate allies since Monday, reports emerged early Thursday that he had vacated the building around 2:30 AM local time. Government spokesperson Claire Castro stated that officials are still working to confirm his current whereabouts.
The political fallout continues to intensify as the Supreme Court recently deferred Dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order to block his arrest. With Rodrigo Duterte already in custody at The Hague since March 2025, the standoff at the Senate highlights a deepening divide within the Philippine government over its cooperation with international judicial bodies.
Senate Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the public to provide any video evidence of the shooting to assist in the ongoing criminal investigation.
