Senate shooting incident on May 13, 2026. Photo courtesy of Avito Dalan/PNA.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday launched a comprehensive investigation into the gunshots reported inside the Senate building in Pasay City.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez said operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) had already been mobilized to look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He assured the public that authorities are carrying out a thorough and impartial probe, with instructions to follow all available evidence and determine accountability.
The directive came amid reports linking the incident to an alleged attempt to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa over a warrant reportedly issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Nartatez said coordination with the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms is ongoing, noting that the matter involves both public safety and institutional integrity.
He, along with Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, visited the Senate to assess the situation and coordinate with officials in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure safety and uncover the truth.
The police chief also ordered concerned units to preserve key evidence, including CCTV footage, radio communications, and entry logs that could help establish what transpired.
He added that police personnel deployed at the site were limited to support and security roles and did not discharge any firearms, as the PNP remains on heightened alert while the investigation continues.