Senate Shootout: A Former Police Chief Faces ICC Arrest

A sudden burst of gunshots shook the Philippine Senate on a Wednesday night, just as officials tried to detain a senator who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The incident happened while Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former police chief linked to the country’s controversial anti‑drug campaign, was under protection from his fellow lawmakers. No one reported injuries, but the event raised questions about safety and legal authority inside the Senate chamber. Senate President Alan Cayetano appeared briefly to confirm that shots had been fired, but he did not give details and left quickly. He described the scene as “highly emotional” and warned that the Senate felt under attack. Reporters were kept on the second floor until Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. arrived with police, after which some were allowed to leave. The ICC had issued an arrest warrant for dela Rosa last month. The order, originally released in November, accuses him of murdering at least 32 people between July 2016 and April 2018 while he led the national police during President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug crackdown. Dela Rosa, 64, has vowed to fight the warrant and called on supporters to rally in the Senate to prevent his arrest.Earlier this week, NBI agents attempted to arrest him but he escaped to the Senate’s plenary hall and sought help from allied senators. Cayetano said that government agents would face contempt charges for their actions. Dela Rosa has also criticized the current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , and urged that he not be sent to The Hague. He claims he would prefer to face any accusations in Philippine courts, not foreign ones. The Senate debate over whether to hand him over was heated. Five senators urged his surrender, while 13 of the 24 senators who support him moved to control the Senate leadership. The clash highlighted divisions within Philippine politics, especially between former allies of Duterte and supporters of the new administration. The ICC maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was a member, even after Duterte withdrew the country in 2019. Dela Rosa’s case marks a rare instance of a former Asian leader being targeted by the court. The situation remains tense as authorities balance domestic law enforcement with international legal obligations.