Gunfire erupted on the night of May 13 at the Senate building as Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa faced a potential arrest, minutes after the chamber officially received the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
While the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), and military operatives were initially alleged to be the main actors in the commotion, the parties involved have since denied the claims.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed allegations that the government, the PNP, and the NBI took part in the shootout, noting that all armed personnel in the area, including a police battalion, a marine detachment, and the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), were on duty.
“Hindi po gobyerno ang gumawa nito. Wala pong pumasok na taga-labas na sundalo, militar, at NBI sa Senado,” Marcos said in a video statement.
(The government did not do this. No soldiers, military personnel, or NBI agents from outside entered the Senate premises.)
Despite this, Sen. Imee Marcos still claimed that the president ordered NBI agents to arrest Dela Rosa “at all costs.”
“Ang sabi ng NBI agents, inutusan daw sila personally and directly ni BBM, ‘arrest Bato at all costs. Kahit sino pa mamatay, kahit sino pa ang madali, basta pasukin si Bato, ngayon din,’” she said.
(NBI agents said that BBM allegedly personally and directly ordered them to arrest Bato at all costs, no matter who dies or gets hurt, as long as he is captured immediately.)
Following the gunfire, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano directed employees and fellow senators to follow the security measures issued by authorities.
Sen. Marcos later revealed that Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla arrived at the Senate premises.
Remulla clarified, however, that his visit to the Senate was unrelated to Dela Rosa’s arrest and was instead meant to “secure the senators,” who were still inside the building with NCRPO Chief Anthony Aberin.
The DILG secretary noted that Dela Rosa was in his chambers on the fifth floor of the Senate building during his visit and would not be served a warrant.
Despite the incident, Cayetano said the shootout did not obstruct the receipt of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Senate president announced he coordinated with President Marcos to investigate the incident. He also instructed senators to cooperate with the police while avoiding making unverified statements.
Following these events, the PNP raised a full alert status late on May 13 amid verification efforts regarding the Senate shootout.
This placed the police force at the highest alert level as they are expected to be available for deployment at all times throughout the investigation.
No confirmed information on the perpetrators of the commotion has surfaced as of writing.
Dela Rosa earlier claimed in a live video that he had received information that the NBI and PNP would arrest him after the Senate session on Wednesday.
This came after the International Criminal Court confirmed that it had released an arrest warrant against the senator for alleged crimes against humanity for being a co-perpetrator in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs during his term.
Written by Khrystien Angel Lacandula, Insight PH
Khrystien Angel Lacandula, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
