Gunfire erupted at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday, causing panic as security forces moved in following the looming arrest of a prominent politician wanted by the International Criminal Court. Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza confirmed that there were no immediate casualties reported amid the chaos in Manila. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a key figure in the controversial anti-drug campaign under former President Rodrigo Duterte, had called for support to resist his arrest and extradition to the ICC.
The ICC recently issued an arrest warrant for dela Rosa on charges of crimes against humanity, mirroring accusations faced by Duterte. Despite the allegations, the 64-year-old senator has denied any involvement in extrajudicial killings. Law enforcement officers, believed to be from the National Bureau of Investigation, reportedly attempted to enter the Senate, leading to gunfire as they withdrew.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag clarified that no agents were dispatched to the Senate, contradicting initial reports. Military personnel in camouflage attire, some armed with rifles, arrived at the scene following a request for assistance from the Senate to secure the premises. Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla stated that investigations were ongoing to determine the source of the shots fired, assuring dela Rosa’s safety and protection from arrest.
Dela Rosa’s tenure as Duterte’s right-hand man during the brutal anti-drug campaign has sparked international criticism, with allegations of police-led executions and subsequent cover-ups. The senator’s return to the Senate amid the arrest warrant has prompted legal actions to block any potential transfer to the ICC. Duterte’s decision to withdraw the Philippines from the ICC in 2018 has complicated the legal proceedings, as the court asserts jurisdiction over crimes committed during the country’s membership.
The Senate remained heavily guarded as protesters gathered outside, demanding accountability for dela Rosa’s actions. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano received assurances from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that government personnel were not involved in the security breach at the Senate. Dela Rosa continues to challenge any potential transfer to the ICC, emphasizing the illegality of such actions given the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
Duterte, facing his own ICC trial, maintains his innocence in the ongoing legal battle, asserting his commitment to defending his people against the drug epidemic. The unfolding events at the Philippine Senate highlight the deep-seated tensions surrounding the controversial anti-drug campaign and the subsequent legal implications faced by key figures involved.