Gunfire was reported at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday evening as authorities attempted to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, according to multiple news organizations.
Senator dela Rosa, a former national police chief under ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, faces an ICC arrest warrant for his alleged role in the killings of at least 32 people during the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign, CBS News reported. The ICC has charged him with crimes against humanity, France 24 and other outlets reported.
Witnesses and live-streamed footage from local media captured the sound of gunshots inside the Senate building, Bloomberg reported. Reuters witnesses heard volleys of gunshots and said people were told to run for cover, the South China Morning Post reported. Armed troops were seen entering the building, according to Deutsche Welle.
The Associated Press, cited by the Washington Examiner, reported that a burst of gunfire rang out as authorities tried to arrest the senator. ABC News also reported that witnesses said gunfire broke out where authorities had attempted the arrest.
Al Jazeera noted that dela Rosa, as former police chief, was a key figure in the drug war. The senator was reportedly holed up inside the Senate at the time of the incident, according to Bloomberg.
The situation remained tense as the arrest attempt unfolded, but further details on casualties or the outcome were not immediately available. No official statement from the Senate or the Philippine government was immediately available.
The Philippine government previously withdrew from the ICC, but the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a member. The arrest warrant for dela Rosa marks a development in the ICC's investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings under Duterte's leadership.
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