ICC Unseals Arrest Warrant for Sen. Ronald dela Rosa

Senator Ronald dela Rosa fled the Philippine Senate building before dawn on Thursday after spending multiple days holed up there to avoid arrest. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed to the media that the senator was no longer in the building. The sergeant at arms also confirmed that Senator Bato is no longer in the building.

Gunshots were fired inside the Philippine Senate building on Wednesday night when Senate security personnel fired volleys during an argument with a government agent. Senate security personnel and National Bureau of Investigation personnel exchanged fire inside the Senate building.

The gunshots sparked chaos that apparently helped Senator Ronald dela Rosa slip out of the Senate, with journalists scrambling for cover.

Dela Rosa had earlier avoided arrest by outrunning government agents through the hallways and staircases of the Senate. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano gave Ronald dela Rosa protective custody inside the Senate chamber after the chase. Dela Rosa had announced his arrest was imminent and called upon his supporters to gather outside the Senate on Wednesday.

Police are investigating the shooting incident inside the Senate. One person was detained in connection with the shooting and provided names that are being verified, according to Randulf Tuaño. No one has been arrested for the shooting inside the Senate, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

Ronald dela Rosa’s wife sent a text message to Alan Peter Cayetano thanking senators for their support and apologising for the confusion and havoc caused. The message stated that Ronald made his ‘escape’ because the longer he stays inside the Senate the more all of you will be dragged into the situation.

It added that the NBI, the CIDG, the police, or even the military would not storm the Senate if he were not inside.