Gunfire erupted in the Philippine Senate on Wednesday as authorities attempted to arrest former police chief Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over a deadly government crackdown on drugs. The chaos unfolded when National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to detain dela Rosa, who fled to the Senate plenary hall and sought protection from fellow senators.
The ICC unsealed an arrest warrant for dela Rosa on Monday, charging him with crimes against humanity for the murder of at least 32 people between July 2016 and April 2018, when he led the national police under former President Rodrigo Duterte. Dela Rosa has vowed to fight the ICC order, calling on supporters to gather at the Senate to prevent his arrest.
Senate President Alan Cayetano described the situation as an attack, stating, 'This is the Senate of the Philippines, and we are allegedly under attack.' Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. arrived with top police officials, deploying them to secure the senators and promising an investigation into the gunfire.
Dela Rosa denounced his pursuit, saying, 'We should not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague, the second one after President Duterte.' He insisted on facing allegations in Philippine courts, denying involvement in extrajudicial killings. Hundreds of police officers have been stationed outside the Senate since Monday, prompting complaints from dela Rosa and allied senators.
The incident highlights deep political divisions in the Philippines, with Duterte and his allies clashing with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Vice President Sara Duterte, recently impeached by the House of Representatives, has accused Marcos of allowing her father's arrest and handover to a foreign court. The Senate is preparing to try the vice president amid ongoing disputes.
