Jonvic Remulla meets with senators after shots heard in Senate

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla met with several senators after multiple gunshots were heard inside the Senate on Wednesday night.

In a Facebook livestream, Sen. Bong Go said in Filipino, “Secretary Jonvic Remulla is here to immediately investigate what really happened.”

“Stay calm. Wait to see what really happened. To our fellow citizens listening, don’t be too alarmed. Let us wait for the truth to come out,” he added.

Go also said the Senate was on lockdown as of his posting at 8:55 p.m.

READ: Shots heard in Senate amid talks of Dela Rosa arrest try

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, along with Sens. Pia Cayetano, Joel Villanueva, Rodante Marcoleta, and Mark Villar, could be seen in the background of Go’s livestream as Remulla spoke with lawmakers.

At least five gunshots were heard by journalists covering the Senate as chaos ensued amid speculation that authorities were moving to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa over an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against him.

Photos shared by dela Rosa’s legal counsel, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino official Jimmy Bondoc, also showed Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in the room. /mcm