Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday assured that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is safe and currently with security personnel amid a tense lockdown at the Senate building.
“Senator Bato dela Rosa has been informed that we are doing a sweep of the building. He has informed us that he wants to rest in his chambers. He is safe. He is with the security personnel,” Remulla told reporters, adding that authorities have assured the senator that “there is no warrant of arrest to be served.”
Remulla said his presence at the Senate was to “ensure the integrity of the Senate and the protection of all the senators,” while confirming that security operations inside the premises are ongoing.
The situation escalated earlier in the evening after gunshots were reportedly heard inside the Senate compound, which has been placed under lockdown. Dela Rosa is currently under protective custody.
The tension followed the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision not to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by Dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Authorities are still verifying details of the shooting incident.
“We still have to determine through CCTV footage kung ilan talaga sila,” Remulla said, noting that investigators are still establishing how many individuals may have been involved.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said a full investigation is underway, stressing the importance of both security and institutional integrity.
“We agreed on an objective, comprehensive investigation… the safety of my colleagues is very important, but also the integrity of the Senate,” Cayetano said, adding that the Senate “represents the democracy of our country.”
He also confirmed that the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and the Philippine National Police are conducting a floor-by-floor sweep of Senate buildings as part of the ongoing security response.
