Gunfire Erupts in Philippine Senate Amid Attempted Arrest of Senator Dela Rosa
Gunshots were heard in the Philippine Senate as authorities attempted to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
Gunfire erupted inside the Philippine Senate on Wednesday evening during an attempt to arrest Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity. The incident caused panic among those present, with individuals instructed to seek cover.
Dela Rosa, a former national police chief and key figure in former President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign, has been under protective custody in the Senate since Monday. He faces allegations related to the deaths of at least 32 individuals between July 2016 and April 2018.
Prior to the gunfire, Dela Rosa had called on his supporters to gather at the Senate to prevent his arrest, stating, "Let us not allow another Filipino to be taken to The Hague."
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) denied involvement in the incident, with Director Melvin Matibag stating, "We didn’t have any guns. We didn’t go there to arrest anyone."
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed the nation, clarifying that all uniformed personnel seen in video footage were part of the Senate’s security forces and not from external agencies. He emphasized, "The government did not do this," and called for calm while investigations are underway.
The situation remains tense as authorities continue to investigate the source of the gunfire and the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest.