Gunfire Erupts Inside Philippine Senate Amid ICC Arrest Bid for Duterte Ally Dela Rosa
Gunfire erupted inside the Senate of the Philippines on Wednesday night as authorities attempted to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity, according to witnesses and an Associated Press journalist present at the scene.
The cause of the shooting was not immediately known, and there was no immediate confirmation regarding injuries inside the Senate complex.
Senator dela Rosa had reportedly been under the protection of allied lawmakers inside the Senate building while Philippine authorities sought to detain him and potentially transfer him into ICC custody.
According to reports, Senate President Alan Cayetano briefly addressed reporters and confirmed that Senate security personnel had informed him that gunshots had been fired within the premises.
The incident unfolded amid heightened tensions surrounding efforts to enforce the ICC arrest request linked to allegations of crimes against humanity connected to the anti-drug campaign carried out during the administration of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
