Gunfire broke out inside the Philippine Senate on May 13, 2026, sending the nation’s upper chamber into a high-tension lockdown.
The exact cause of the gunfire remains unconfirmed as authorities continue to investigate the incident, which saw armed personnel in tactical gear navigating the halls of the legislative building.
In a GMA News report posted earlier today, May 14, at 6:26 P.M., Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said, “…the Senate is under attack, was under attack.”
Authorities from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are also looking into the possibility that the “attack” was staged.
In an Inquirer.net report published at 6:01 P.M., NBI Director Melvin Matibag said: "Well, that is part of an ongoing investigation.
"We will review the footage, if there are any CCTV recordings, and use our forensic capabilities to determine what really happened.
"The only thing we can share for now is what Undersecretary Claire Castro has already presented regarding how it unfolded.”
During a Palace press briefing held before lunch, Castro identified Mao Aplasca of the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) as the first to fire a warning shot after spotting an NBI agent at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Financial Center, where the Senate holds office.
“When they arrived at the bridge within the GSIS premises, the OSAA approached the NBI agent who was just seated together with a blue guard from GSIS.
“The agent identified himself and upon stating their identities, Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca immediately fired a warning shot.
"Because of that, the NBI agent was also compelled to fire a warning shot.”
The gunfire, which reportedly lasted for three minutes, sparked immediate panic among the press corps stationed at the building.
Senate Gunfire Draws International Media Attention
The fear was not limited to local outlets.
Foreign media representatives on-site covering the ongoing political standoff also reported hearing “10 to 15 gunshots.”
Jameela Alindogan of Doha-based international news network Al Jazeera provided immediate coverage from the scene.
"We don't know who fired first," she said, mentioning the presence of armed units.
She linked the incident to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s impending arrest due to a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The report from The New York Times also connected the shooting incident to Bato’s arrest.
Part of the article read: "The Senate of the Philippines was thrown into chaos Wednesday as what appeared to be gunshots were fired inside the chamber after a top ally of the country’s former leader said police were coming to arrest him...
"Sen. Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa was the chief enforcer of a years long brutal crackdown on drug dealers and users by the former president, Rodrigo Duterte.
"They are co-defendants in a case brought by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for crimes against humanity."
The Washington Post’s report echoed The New York Times.
"The shooting, which appeared to come from inside the Senate chamber, comes amid a standoff between federal agents and Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa—a senator and former national police chief who faces crimes against humanity charges brought by the International Criminal Court in The Hague that were unsealed Monday over his involvement in the deadly Philippine war on drugs under former president Rodrigo Duterte."
CNN's story was titled "Gunshots fired in Philippines parliament as senator wanted by ICC resists arrest."
It put out a photo of "windows left riddled with bullet holes."
BBC’s news article was accompanied by a video showing “journalists scramble as gunshots sound in Philippine senate."
7News Australia called the incident “chaotic.”
Sky News Australia showed a video of several people screaming and running as gunfire rang out in the background.
ANI News India was able to take a video of Bato riding an elevator before a gunshot was heard in the background.
Singapore-based Channel News Asia (CNA) and The Business Times also reported on President Bongbong Marcos’s denial that he was behind the incident.
Daily Sabah, an English-language daily based in Istanbul, Turkey, reported that the shots were fired as a direct result of the standoff over Bato’s arrest.
Lastly, Germany’s DW News shared a video featuring an interview with Phelim Kine, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs.
He said that the warrant is legitimate, because the ICC has “so much evidence” against Bato’s “sadistic campaign of killing that targeted some of the poorest people in the Philippines.”
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At press time, Malacañang confirmed rumors that Bato had already left Senate premises.
Newly minted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano also confirmed the senator’s departure on May 14, at 2:30 A.M.
He said the information came from the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms.
Lawyer and political influencer Jesus Falcis posted a rumor alleging that Bato had already boarded a domestic flight, allegedly with the help of another senator.
“Dear Robin Padilla, bakit nakita ka sa NAIA Terminal 3 sa VIP area around 4:10AM? Nag log out ka daw ng 2:35 AM sa Senado.
"Kasama mo daw si Bato dela Rosa. Domestic flight,” said the known critic of the Duterte administration.
Meanwhile, the PNP arrested a 44-year-old volunteer driver for the NBI.
He was identified as Mel Oragon, who, according to the NBI, had been assisting deployed agents but is not an official or regular employee of the bureau.
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