Gunfire erupted in the Philippines Senate on Wednesday during an attempt by authorities to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on an unsealed warrant for crimes against humanity, specifically the murder of at least 32 people during the anti-drug crackdown between 2016 and 2018 when he led the national police.
Incident Details
No one was injured in the incident. Allied senators had previously taken Dela Rosa into 'protective custody' on Monday, preventing his arrest. The event highlights deep political divisions in the Philippines, with former President Rodrigo Duterte already detained by the ICC for similar charges, and Vice President Sara Duterte facing impeachment.
Dela Rosa's Response
Dela Rosa, who denies condoning extrajudicial killings, has vowed to fight the ICC order, arguing he should face Philippine courts. The ICC maintains jurisdiction despite the Philippines' withdrawal in 2019.
