The Philippine National Police (PNP) was placed on full alert status after gunshots were heard inside the Senate premises on Wednesday evening, May 13.

“Based on reports from personnel on the ground, security monitoring and police presence in the vicinity of the Senate premises were intensified this evening following a reported incident currently subject to verification,” the PNP said in a statement.

According to the PNP, they raised the alert status at 8:30 PM as part of the standard security protocols and public safety measures.

RH Edniel Parrosa reported that police remain deployed in the area to maintain the peace and order while investigations are ongoing. Information on the gunshots and tensions inside Senate premises is also subject to verification by the police force.

Although it remains unclear until when the full alert status will remain in effect, the directive results in the cancellation of leaves and extra assignments, particularly for those deployed in the National Capital Region (NCR) and near the Senate.

The PNP earlier said that at least 1,500 police were deployed to the Senate for security measures.

Gunshots were heard from the second floor of the Senate building on Wednesday evening amid tensions surrounding the possible arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.