Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano assured that all senators are safe and no casualties have been reported following a shooting incident inside the Senate building in Pasay City on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Incident Details
In an interview, Remulla stated that at 7:46 p.m., armed men attempted to enter the Senate building through the second floor. However, personnel from the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) stopped them by firing warning shots. "They retreated at the back and started firing indiscriminately in the air," he said.
Remulla noted that officials do not yet have a definite count of the number of shooters, but all efforts are underway to identify those behind the intrusion attempt.
Investigation and Security Measures
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which owns the Senate building, along with Senate staff, have been instructed to secure all closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in coordination with the OSAA. Police and OSAA personnel are sweeping each floor of the Senate building to ensure no non-essential staff or individuals remain inside as the investigation proceeds.
"We do not know who is behind this but we will find them. We have all the security footages and I am here with the Senate President to assure him that we are here to secure them," Remulla added.
Senators Safe
Remulla and Cayetano confirmed that all 12 senators who were in the building during the shooting—all from the majority bloc—are safe, including embattled Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.
"The President (Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.) sent me here to secure the senators. No politics at this time. At this time of turmoil, politics goes out the window. We all belong to one country and one nation. The President has given strict instructions: secure the senators whoever they may be," Remulla said.
He further clarified, "We are not here to arrest Senator Dela Rosa. In fact, we are here to protect him. Let that be clear. We made that clear to his family."
