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Philippine Senator Flees Senate Custody; Vice-President Duterte Faces Impeachment Trial

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Dramatic Political Turmoil Grips Philippines

Gunfire erupts in the Senate, a senator escapes custody, and the Vice-President is impeached—all within 48 hours.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa's Escape from Senate Custody

The Incident

On the evening of Wednesday, March 31, 2025, gunshots were reported inside the Philippine Senate building in Pasay City. According to reports, the shots were fired by Senate security personnel during an argument with a government agent.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa was in the building under protective custody, evading arrest on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. The source of the gunfire remains under investigation, with some officials suggesting it may have been staged to facilitate his escape. No casualties were reported.

Senator dela Rosa subsequently fled the Senate building. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed the senator's escape and stated that he did not consider it an obstruction of justice, adding he had not seen a warrant for his arrest. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a statement calling for calm and announcing a police investigation. One person was detained in connection with the incident.

"The shooting may have been a cover for the escape," political analyst Richard Heydarian said, accusing Senate leadership of obstructing justice.

ICC Warrant and Background

The ICC unsealed a confidential arrest warrant for Senator dela Rosa, former national police chief under President Rodrigo Duterte. The warrant, originally issued on November 6, 2025, charges him with crimes against humanity, including the murder of at least 32 persons between July 2016 and April 2018. These charges are related to the anti-drug crackdowns conducted under the Duterte administration. Senator dela Rosa is named as a co-perpetrator in the ICC case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Senator dela Rosa has denied the allegations and stated he is prepared to face charges in Philippine courts. He has filed an emergency petition with the Philippine Supreme Court to block his transfer to The Hague.

Events Leading to the Escape

On Monday, March 31, 2025, Senator dela Rosa attended a Senate session for the first time in months. Following the session, National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to serve the ICC warrant. The senator fled from the agents, running through the hallways and eventually reaching the Senate plenary hall. Senate President Cayetano then offered him protective custody, and the senator remained in the building for the following two days. The Senate complex was surrounded by barbed wire and security forces, including military personnel.

Reactions

  • Llore Pasco, whose two sons were killed during the drug war, stated that Senator dela Rosa played a major role in the crackdown and should be held accountable.
  • Protesters outside the Senate, including relatives of drug war victims, demanded Senator dela Rosa's arrest.

Vice-President Sara Duterte's Impeachment

On Monday, March 31, 2025, the Philippine House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte. 255 out of 318 members supported the complaint, exceeding the one-third threshold required for impeachment.

The Articles of Impeachment

The allegations include:

  • Misappropriation of public funds
  • Unexplained wealth
  • Bribery
  • Alleged death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez

Ms. Duterte has denied all allegations. Her defense team stated they are "fully prepared" to defend her before the Senate, where the trial will be held. If convicted in the Senate trial, she would be removed from office and could be disqualified from holding public office for life.

An earlier impeachment bid was previously struck down by the Philippine Supreme Court on procedural grounds.

"This is not about 2028, this is not about political alliances, this is about whether we still believe that no-one is above the law," said Representative Bienvenido Abante, who endorsed the petition.

Reactions

  • Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside Congress chanting and holding banners reading "Impeach Sara Now."
  • Ms. Duterte, who is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, had been considered a leading candidate for the 2028 presidential election.

Context and Related Events

  • Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in March 2025 and is in ICC custody in The Hague, awaiting trial for crimes against humanity related to the same anti-drug campaign. The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, but the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was a member.
  • The impeachment of Vice-President Duterte and the legal actions against Senator dela Rosa occur amid escalating political disputes between the Duterte family and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
  • Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, an ally of former President Duterte, assumed the Senate presidency on March 31, 2025, after winning the support of 13 out of 24 senators.