Gunshots in Philippines senate where senator is holed up to evade arrest

"Gunshots have been fired in the Philippine senate, as a senator who is wanted by the international criminal court (ICC) remained holed up in the building to evade arrest. The Philippine senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is accused of crimes against humanity for his role in overseeing the former president Rodrigo Duterte's so-called war on drugs, has spent two nights in the country's senate in a standoff with the authorities."

"Dela Rosa, 64, who was the chief enforcer of Duterte's merciless anti-drugs crackdown, dramatically evaded arrest on Monday when he outran government agents who chased him through the senate's hallways and staircases. He managed to reach the building chamber, where the senate president, an ally of Duterte, offered him protective custody."

"Late on Wednesday, military personnel arrived inside the senate building, some carrying assault rifles. Local media showed scenes of chaos, and the sound of gunfire later rung out. Dela Rosa had earlier called for his supporters to gather in front of the senate on Wednesday, telling a press conference: Let us not allow another Filipino to be taken to The Hague."

"I am not appealing for violent support. I am appealing for peaceful support, Dela Rosa told reporters, as he urged his fellow men in uniform, to express their sentiment that Ferdinand Marcos Jr's government should not hand me over to foreigners. Alan Peter Cayetano, the senate president, posted a video on Facebook from inside the building, saying he was willing to meet anyone who"

Ronald dela Rosa, accused by the ICC of crimes against humanity connected to Duterte’s war on drugs, remained holed up in the Philippine senate to avoid arrest. He spent two nights inside the building after outrunning government agents during a pursuit through senate hallways and staircases. The senate president, an ally of Duterte, offered him protective custody. Dela Rosa called for peaceful support outside the senate and urged military personnel to oppose his extradition without violence. Military personnel later entered the senate building, and local media reported chaos and gunfire. CCTV footage captured his standoff and escape attempts, while he appealed to fellow uniformed men to express opposition to handing him over to foreign authorities.

Read at www.theguardian.com