The sound of gunshots rang out Wednesday evening inside the Philippine parliament, as a senator took refuge to resist arrest on allegations of crimes against humanity.
The chaotic scenes unfolded as Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s top enforcer of a bloody war on drugs, tries to dodge an International Criminal Court arrest warrant by hiding in the legislative building.
The stand-off was a major role reversal for the nation’s former top lawman, who could still face extradition to the ICC’s headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, where Duterte currently awaits trial.
Dela Rosa fled the legislature complex following the shooting incident, after hiding there for two nights, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said in a Thursday afternoon press conference.
“The sergeant-at-arms has confirmed that he is no longer in the building,” Cayetano said, adding Dela Rosa’s wife also confirmed his escape in a text message to the Senate speaker.
