Philippine Senator Arrested at Senate as ICC Pursues War on Drugs Case
Gunshots rang out at the Philippine Senate as police moved to arrest a former police chief wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the drug war under ex-President Rodrigo Duterte. The official was holed up in his legislative office after resisting arrest.
Arrest Attempt at Senate
More than a dozen gunshots rang out at the Philippine Senate as police and marines moved in to arrest a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
The Suspect
Former police chief dela Rosa, who was the top enforcer of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte's so-called "war on drugs", urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Tuesday not to hand him over to the ICC, adding that he was ready to face justice at home. Dela Rosa was Duterte's top lieutenant and oversaw a fierce crackdown during which police say more than 6,000 suspected drug dealers were killed in official operations.
ICC Warrant
The ICC unsealed an arrest warrant on Monday for dela Rosa, dated November, on suspicion of crimes against humanity, the same crimes 81-year-old Duterte is accused of as he awaits trial in The Hague following his arrest last year. He has denied involvement in illegal killings.