Gunshots erupt at Philippine Senate amid fears of senator’s ICC arrest

MANILA: Gunshots broke out at the Senate of the Philippines on Wednesday, triggering panic and forcing people to run for cover after Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), warned that his arrest was imminent and security personnel entered the building.

There were no immediate reports of casualties following the chaos at the legislature in Manila, according to Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza.

Dela Rosa, a former police chief and key enforcer of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, had earlier appealed to supporters to mobilise against any attempt to arrest and transfer him to The Hague.

The ICC on Monday unsealed an arrest warrant for the senator on charges of crimes against humanity — the same allegations faced by Duterte, who is awaiting trial after being transferred to the court last year.

Dela Rosa, 64, has denied involvement in illegal killings linked to the anti-drug crackdown.

“I am appealing to you, I hope you can help me. Do not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague,” he said in a video message posted from his Senate office, where he has remained under legislative protection since Monday.

Senate Secretary Mendoza said law enforcement officers, believed to be from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), attempted to enter the Senate premises and shots were fired as they retreated.

However, NBI Director Melvin Matibag denied deploying any agents to the Senate.

“I spoke with the justice minister and he told me to await instructions. We have no preparations whatsoever,” Matibag told local media.

Reuters journalists reported seeing more than 10 military personnel in camouflage uniforms arriving at the Senate, some carrying assault rifles.

Military spokesperson Xerxes Trinidad said the Senate had requested assistance to help secure the facility.

Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla said it remained unclear who fired the shots and that authorities would examine security footage. He added that dela Rosa was safe and assured that no arrest would take place at the time.

Dela Rosa served as Duterte’s top lieutenant during the anti-drug campaign that left thousands dead. Human rights groups have accused police of carrying out systematic killings and cover-ups during the operation.

Philippine police have consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that those killed during anti-drug operations were armed suspects who resisted arrest.

Activists, however, argue that the true death toll may never be fully known, citing widespread killings in poor neighbourhoods blamed on vigilantes and criminal groups.

The Senate remained under heavy security throughout Wednesday as protesters gathered outside, with some demanding dela Rosa’s arrest.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said he had spoken with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who assured him that no government personnel had been involved in the incident.

Dela Rosa has also filed an emergency petition before the Philippine Supreme Court seeking to block any attempt to transfer him to the ICC.

The court gave all parties involved 72 hours to respond to the petition.

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The senator argues that any transfer to the ICC would be illegal because the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2018 after the ICC began examining Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

However, the ICC maintains that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member.

Duterte is expected to become the first former Asian head of state to stand trial at the ICC. Throughout his presidency, he repeatedly challenged the court to pursue him, insisting he was prepared to “rot in jail” to protect Filipinos from drugs.

According to his legal team, Duterte continues to deny all allegations against him.