Chaos at the Senate as gunfire reports rock Bato standoff
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Chaos gripped the Senate on Wednesday night, May 13, after reports of gunfire, a heavy law enforcement presence, and a tense standoff over the possible arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa trapped senators, media personnel, and staff inside the building.
Several senators claimed armed tensions erupted within the Senate premises as authorities allegedly moved to arrest dela Rosa in connection with developments tied to the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war.
READ: Bato dela Rosa now on ICC’s list of ‘at large’ defendants
In a Facebook Live broadcast, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano described the situation as an “attack” on the Senate and urged authorities to restore order as fear spread inside the complex.
‘Allegedly under attack’
“This is the Senate of the Philippines. We are allegedly under attack,” Cayetano said. “The sergeant-at-arms has confirmed na may putukan na dito. (The sergeant-at-arms has confirmed that gunfire has erupted here.)”
Cayetano said senators received warnings roughly 30 minutes earlier advising them to leave the Senate because “may mangyayari” (something would happen).
READ: No TRO issued for Bato dela Rosa —SC
Instead of leaving, senators stayed inside while awaiting the articles of impeachment and discussing the legal situation surrounding dela Rosa.
Lights out, high drama
“We have to turn off the lights dahil may putukan na nangyayari. (We have to turn off the lights because gunfire is happening),” Cayetano said during the livestream.
He added that senators and staff feared the possibility of an active shooter situation.
“So, the rest, mga nasa Senate, turn off the lights, stay low. Kung may active shooters, follow the protocols. (So, for those inside the Senate, turn off the lights, stay low. If there are active shooters, follow the protocols.)”
Senator Pia Cayetano also expressed frustration after speaking with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officials during the tense situation.
“Pinuputukan kami dito. (We are being shot at here.)” she said. “Well then do your job! Make us safe! This is not good!”
She added that an NBI official allegedly told her not to raise her voice despite the situation escalating.
“Sumisigaw ako dahil mataas ang emotions, dahil pinuputukan kami! (I am shouting because emotions are high because we are being shot at!)”
In another Facebook Live update, Alan Peter Cayetano said people claiming to belong to the media allegedly entered the Senate compound alongside agents.
“The report so far is that there were agents na sumabay sa media and claiming to be media,” he said.
A barricade, standing by Bato
Cayetano added that more than 200 people reportedly gathered outside while several entrances remained barricaded.
Despite the escalating tension, he said senators refused to abandon dela Rosa.
“We’re not going to leave Senator Bato,” Cayetano said.
He argued that dela Rosa still had pending legal remedies and cited a supposed Supreme Court directive giving the senator three days to comment on matters related to the case.
“We are relying on the law, relying on the Constitution,” he added.
Attack on Tito Sotto
Former Senate President Tito Sotto also condemned the security situation outside the Senate after protesters allegedly attacked his vehicle while he attempted to leave the premises.
“I am furious and disappointed with the PNP and other security personnel assigned outside the Senate for failing to control the rowdy and unruly crowd,” Sotto said in a statement.
“The barbaric protesters banged my vehicle repeatedly, threw bottles, and cursed foul remarks.”
Sotto questioned why police failed to maintain peace and order despite deploying several trucks outside the Senate.
“Ilang truck na PNP ang nakadeploy sa Senate, tapos ganito? (Several PNP trucks were deployed at the Senate, yet this still happened?)”
He also criticized what he described as growing disrespect among supporters rallying outside the building.
Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos posted on social media Wednesday night claiming gunfire erupted within the Senate vicinity.
“Bakit nagkakaputukan dito sa Senado? Hindi na ito normal. (Why are there gunshots here at the Senate? This is no longer normal),” Marcos said.
“Talaga bang dadakipin na kaming lahat? (Are they really going to arrest all of us now?)”
Bong Go’s call for prayer
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go also appealed for prayers as tensions escalated.
“Nananawagan po ako sa ating mga kababayan na mapanatili ang kapayapaan dito po sa Senado. Dito po kami habang merong meeting na pinatawag po ang leadership ng Senado ay narinig po kami sa second floor kanina. Ingat po kayo. Pagdasal niyo po kami rito sa Senado,” he said.
Videos circulating online showed senators, staff, supporters, police officers, and members of the media scrambling amid confusion inside and outside the Senate complex. Some areas reportedly switched off lights as people sought cover.
The tension followed dela Rosa’s earlier public call urging supporters to gather outside the Senate and hold a vigil amid reports that authorities planned to arrest him.
As of posting time, authorities had yet to release an official statement confirming the reported gunfire or detailing the full extent of the incident.
The situation remains fluid.
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