On November 17, multiple gunshots rang out inside the Philippine Senate compound as police and marine forces entered the legislative building to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on suspicion of crimes against humanity during former President Rodrigo Duterte's 'war on drugs' campaign.
Al Jazeera correspondent Jamela Alindogan reported that journalists were forced to take cover as gunfire erupted that evening, just minutes after armed soldiers in protective gear advanced up the stairs of the parliament building. It remains unclear who fired the shots.
Earlier, Senator Dela Rosa — the former national police chief under President Duterte — had called on supporters to gather at the parliament building to prevent his arrest and extradition to The Hague. In a Facebook video, Dela Rosa said: "I appeal to you. I hope you can help me. Do not let another Filipino be taken to The Hague."
Dela Rosa, known by the nickname "Bato" (meaning "rock"), added that he is willing to face justice at home but urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to hand him over to the ICC. "I have done everything for the country. I did not enrich myself. I have worked loyally," Dela Rosa said, his eyes welling up.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa in November 2022 on charges of crimes against humanity — the same charge that the now 81-year-old former President Duterte is facing in The Hague. Since law enforcement personnel entered the building on November 15, when Dela Rosa made his first public appearance since last November, he has been under the protection of the Senate.
Duterte's 'war on drugs,' which Dela Rosa directly commanded, resulted in more than 6,000 drug suspects killed in official police operations and thousands more drug users gunned down in slum murders. Police maintain that those killed had resisted arrest, while rejecting allegations of systematic executions and cover-ups.
