"The wanted man outran security agents, rallied protesters and even serenaded the media with a military hymn. Then, after a sudden exchange of gunfire, the Philippines' most controversial lawmaker slipped out of the heavily guarded senate building in the middle of the night. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the international criminal court for crimes against humanity, is now nowhere to be seen."
"Dela Rosa is wanted by the international criminal court for his role as the enforcer of former president Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, in which thousands of people were killed. But the saga over his arrest is also underlined by a fierce power struggle between Marcos and Duterte's daughter, the vice-president, Sara Duterte. They once campaigned together but relations quickly soured, reaching an all-time low last year when Marcos allowed her father to be arrested and transferred to the ICC."
"Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the international criminal court for crimes against humanity, is now nowhere to be seen. The week's shambolic events have not only prompted criticism of the country's senate, where Duterte's allies controversially shielded Dela Rosa from arrest, but also of the president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who appears outmanoeuvred. Dela Rosa is wanted by the international criminal court for his role as the enforcer of former president Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, in which thousands of people were killed."
"Dela Rosa, a tough-talking former head of the Philippine national police, had been in hiding for months after reports emerged of his looming arrest in November. He made a surprise appearance at the senate on Monday, turning up to back a successful bid by another staunch Duterte ally to become senate president. It proved a risky move for Dela Rosa, who found himself theatrically racing through hallways and clambering up senate stairways when security agents chased him through the building. He outran the agents, however. Along with his allies he has, perhaps, outmanoeuvred Marcos politically, too."
A controversial senator wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity disappeared after a chaotic night inside the heavily guarded senate building. He had been in hiding for months after reports of an impending arrest. During a surprise appearance, he backed a bid for senate president and then fled when security agents chased him, after a sudden exchange of gunfire. He was granted protective custody by the new senate president, and his allies helped prevent arrest. The events intensified criticism of the senate and of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who appeared outmaneuvered. The situation reflects a power struggle between Marcos and Vice-President Sara Duterte, whose father was previously transferred to the ICC. Both Marcos and the senator deny wrongdoing.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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