VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte has slammed the attempt to take Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa into custody for the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling the move a blatant violation of constitutional rights and due process.
Speaking from The Hague, Duterte maintained that foreign tribunals hold no jurisdiction within the Philippines unless local courts issue a corresponding order. She argued that bypassing the Philippine judiciary to enforce an ICC warrant directly violates the Bill of Rights.
“It has been all about abuse, intimidation, and violence,” Duterte said.
The Vice President further drew a parallel between the current situation and what she described as the “extraordinary rendition” of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming he had been forcibly removed from the country.
She noted that the elder Duterte only learned of the chaos at the Senate through television news and expressed immediate concern over the commotion.
Summary of the Senate Crisis (May 13, 2026)
- Senate Lockdown: The building was placed under total lockdown following an attempted breach by unidentified armed men who tried to enter the second floor at approximately 7:46 PM.
- Exchange of Gunfire: A skirmish erupted in the Senate hallways after the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) fired warning shots to intercept the intruders. Senate Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza confirmed no casualties or injuries occurred.
- Senator Dela Rosa’s Status: DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla arrived to personally secure the senators and explicitly stated, “There will be no arrest for Sir Bato tonight,” de-escalating the standoff.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed that the Articles of Impeachment remain secured and the chamber’s integrity is still intact despite the “infiltration” attempt.
Despite NBI director Atty. Melvin Matibag’s denial of his agents’ involvement, media footage, and videos from Atty. Israelito Torreon documented NBI vehicles and personnel at the scene.
The investigation deepened during late-night clearing operations:
Arrest of Personnel: One individual, identified as an NBI “volunteer,” was arrested inside the premises.
Senator Imee Marcos claimed the arrested individual was a “confidential agent” under the NBI Transnational Crime Division. He was reportedly apprehended after returning to the second floor to retrieve a tactical bag left behind during the skirmish.
But Matibag said the individual was not an NBI agent or employee but merely a “volunteer.”
In a video message, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. distanced the administration from the violence, asserting that the government was not involved in the gunfire and had ordered the protection of all senators.
