Gunfire reported inside Philippine Senate during ICC arrest attempt
Uncertainty surrounds the cause of the shooting and potential casualties as the former police chief seeks protective custody amid International Criminal Court warrants linked to the Duterte drug war.
Gunfire erupted inside the Philippine Senate late Wednesday as authorities attempted to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity. The incident occurred while the former national police chief was seeking protective custody within the legislative building, following an arrest warrant unsealed by the ICC on Monday.
Senate President Alan Cayetano confirmed reports of gunshots to journalists but provided no further details regarding the specific cause of the shooting or any resulting casualties. Cayetano stated that building security had alerted him to the gunfire before he hastily left the scene. He described the atmosphere as tense, asserting that the Senate was "allegedly under attack," though the precise sequence of events and the number of individuals involved remain unverified.
The arrest attempt targets dela Rosa for his role in the anti-drug crackdown under former President Rodrigo Duterte. The ICC warrant, originally issued in November, charges the 64-year-old senator with the crime against humanity of murder, specifically alleging the deaths of "no less than 32 persons" between July 2016 and April 2018. These charges are linked to the violent campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths, mostly among petty suspects.
Dela Rosa had previously vowed to fight the ICC order and explore all legal remedies. On Wednesday night, he called on his followers to gather at the Senate to prevent his arrest. This mobilisation followed a failed attempt by National Bureau of Investigation agents on Monday, which led dela Rosa to seek refuge in the Senate plenary hall with the intervention of allied senators.
The situation highlights the complex jurisdictional tensions between national authorities and international judicial bodies. While the ICC has issued the warrant, the execution of the arrest within the Philippine legislative precinct has triggered a volatile standoff. As of late Wednesday, the immediate cause of the gunfire and the status of any injuries remained unknown, with no official explanation provided by authorities.
