STORY: Armed law enforcement were seen inside the Philippine Senate on Wednesday (May 13) after a volley of gunshots were heard on Wednesday (May 13).

People were told to run for cover, Reuters witnesses heard, as chaos mounted in anticipation of an attempt to arrest a top senator wanted by the International Criminal Court.

It was unclear what was happening or who fired the shots. More than 10 military personnel in camouflage fatigues had earlier arrived at the Senate building, some carrying assault rifles, Reuters journalists saw.

It was not immediately clear why troops were there and military officials could not immediately be reached for comment. It was unclear if other security personnel were inside the building.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed they were still trying to verify the perpetrators behind the gunshots but said there had not been any casualties.

It came as Ronald dela Rosa, the chief enforcer in former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody "war on drugs", said on Facebook his arrest was imminent and urged people to mobilise to prevent his handover to the ICC.

Dela Rosa, who has taken refuge in his legislative office since Monday (May 11), called on the public to turn out and block his arrest, saying that law enforcement agents were on the way following the ICC's unsealing of an arrest warrant.

The warrant, dated November and made public on Monday, seeks the arrest of the former police chief on charges of crimes against humanity, the same crimes 81-year-old Duterte is accused of as he awaits trial in The Hague following his arrest last year.

"I am appealing to you, I hope you can help me. Do not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague," dela Rosa said in a video posted on Facebook from his Senate office.

Dela Rosa, 64, was Duterte's top lieutenant overseeing a fierce crackdown during which thousands of alleged drug dealers were slain, with human rights groups accusing police of systematic murders and cover-ups.

Police reject the allegations and say the more than 6,000 killed in anti-drugs operations were all armed and had resisted arrest.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Armed men seen inside Philippine Senate building after gunshots fired

VIDEO SHOWS: ARMED MEN INSIDE PHILIPPINE SENATE BUILDING

SHOWS: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (MAY 13, 2026)(REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF ARMED LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL INSIDE SENATE BUILDING

2. SECRETARY OF PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, JONVIC REMULLA, WALKING TO BRIEF MEDIA

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SECRETARY OF PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, JONVIC REMULLA SAYING:

"We have not verified who the perpetrators were, I'm here to make sure of everyone's safety. I cannot answer anymore until I go inside, my only orders so far is to secure the senators and to secure the CCTV room so we can make sure who entered and where they entered from. (Until) After that I have no further information.

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SECRETARY OF PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, JONVIC REMULLA SAYING:

"There have been no reports of any casualty and I am not here to arrest Senator "Bato", I am here in fact to secure him."

5. REMULLA LEAVING