Gunshots reportedly rang out inside the Philippine Senate late Wednesday evening, prompting Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to enter the complex amid a tense security situation linked to the reported attempt to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
The incident unfolded as a large contingent of police and security personnel converged on the Senate grounds. Tensions that had been building for hours escalated when gunfire was reportedly heard near the second-floor offices at around 7:53 p.m.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as Senate employees, security personnel, and members of the media scrambled for safety. Authorities have yet to determine who fired the shots or whether the gunfire was directly connected to the reported arrest operation. No injuries or fatalities have been officially confirmed as of posting.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano appealed to the administration to de-escalate the situation as tensions inside the Senate intensified.
“So please kung sinong nanonood, sinong nakikinig, we expect yung tawagan naming will understand the emotions here and will say na we’ll do something about it,” Cayetano said.
Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago Matibag maintained that NBI agents never entered the Senate premises and denied that the bureau had carried out any arrest operation during the incident.
“May agreement kami ni Sen. Alan, hindi kami papasok. At the same time, hangga’t wala pong order with coordination with all the agencies involved, hindi po kami mage-effect ng arrest,” Matibag said.
Matibag also called it unfair for some senators to immediately blame the NBI for the reported gunfire, stressing that their personnel remained outside the Senate complex at the time of the incident.
Shortly after the reported gunfire, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla arrived at the Senate complex amid a heightened tactical presence. He clarified that his visit was not related to the execution of any arrest warrant against Dela Rosa.
“I am here to check on the security situation in the area and secure the senators,” Remulla told reporters.
The situation also left several members of the media stranded inside the building after a full lockdown was imposed. Reporters were initially instructed to leave the premises before movement in and out of the Senate complex was restricted.
The incident came after reports that former police chief Ronald dela Rosa had failed to secure judicial intervention against an ICC-related warrant. However, authorities have yet to confirm whether the reported gunfire was connected to efforts to serve the warrant.
The Senate remains under strict lockdown as tactical teams continue securing the premises and investigating the source of the gunfire. Access to the area remains heavily restricted, with a significant police presence surrounding the complex.
Officials have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the origin of the shots or the status of any possible arrest operation. This remains a developing story.
~ #TheLOStories
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