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Gunfire Erupts at Philippine Senate Amid ICC Tensions
Developing
In Short: Multiple gunshots were heard inside the Philippine Senate where Senator Ronald dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court, has sought refuge, prompting journalists to flee and soldiers to respond.
Multiple gunshots were heard inside the Philippine Senate, where Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former drug war enforcer and current fugitive from the International Criminal Court (ICC), has taken refuge. Journalists reported at least five shots, causing them to seek cover as soldiers with rifles and protective gear entered the building.
Senator dela Rosa, who has been holed up at the building since Monday, urged the military to stop any attempts to arrest and extradite him to the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity. He has also appealed to fellow military personnel to express their opposition to his extradition.
In a livestream on his Facebook page, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who is allied with dela Rosa, later stated, 'We are under attack,' without providing further details. Cayetano's statement suggests a tense situation within the legislative building.
Dela Rosa, known by his nickname 'Bato,' earlier urged military personnel and his classmates at the Philippine Military Academy to voice their opposition to the government's plans to hand him over to foreign authorities, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding his case.
Background
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organisation and international tribunal seated in The Hague, Netherlands. Established in 2002 under the multilateral Rome Statute, the ICC is the first and only permanent international court with jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
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- Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP Manila: Multiple gunshots were heard Wednesday inside the Philippine Senate, where a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court has sought refuge, AFP journalists said.
- The sound of at least five shots sent journalists fleeing for cover, minutes after soldiers with rifles and protective gear went up the stairs of the legislative building, the journalists said.
- Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, former president Rodrigo Duterte's chief drug war enforcer, has holed up at the building since Monday and urged the military to stop attempts to arrest and fly him to the Netherlands to…
- "We are under attack," Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano, who is allied to Dela Rosa, later said in a livestream on his Facebook page, without elaborating.
- Dela Rosa, better known by his nickname "Bato", earlier Wednesday urged "my fellow men in uniform" and former classmates at the Philippine Military Academy, which produces most of the armed forces' officer corps, to…