Gunfire at Philippine Senate amid ICC Arrest Bid

Shots were fired at the Philippine Senate building on Wednesday, triggering panic as authorities moved to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity.

Witnesses said dozens of soldiers in camouflage fatigues, many carrying assault rifles, appeared outside the building before the shooting. It was not immediately clear who fired or what prompted the incident.

Dela Rosa, a former Philippine national police chief and close ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, had been sheltering in his Senate office since Monday. After the arrest warrant was published, he urged the public in a Facebook video: "Do not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague."

The ICC alleges that Dela Rosa was involved in the Duterte government's anti-drug campaign, during which thousands of suspected drug dealers were killed. Human rights organisations have long described the killings as systematic extrajudicial executions. Police reject that characterisation, maintaining that those killed had resisted the crackdown.

Former president Duterte is already awaiting trial in The Hague following his arrest last year.

(reuters, max)