Turmoil Grips Philippine Senate as Shots Fired in Arrest Bid

Multiple bursts of gunfire echoed through the Philippine Senate on Wednesday, prompting orders for people to seek cover immediately, according to eyewitnesses from Reuters, amid rising disorder ahead of a planned arrest of a senior senator targeted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Details remain murky regarding the source of the gunfire or the individuals responsible. Earlier, over 10 soldiers dressed in camouflage, some armed with assault rifles, had entered the Senate premises, as observed by Reuters reporters.

Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza informed journalists that no injuries resulted from the incident.

"We are evaluating the circumstances after an unspecified group of officers tried to gain access to the facility," Mendoza stated.

The reason for the military presence was not specified, and attempts to contact military spokespeople yielded no response. It is unknown if additional guards were stationed within the structure.

This unfolded as Ronald dela Rosa, key figure in ex-President Rodrigo Duterte's intense anti-drug campaign, posted on Facebook warning that his detention was approaching and calling for public action to halt any transfer to the ICC.

Dela Rosa Urges Supporters to Prevent His Capture

Having barricaded himself in his Senate office since Monday, dela Rosa rallied citizens to assemble and obstruct his apprehension, noting that enforcement teams were en route after the ICC disclosed an arrest order.

The November-dated warrant, revealed publicly on Monday, charges the ex-police chief with crimes against humanity - offenses mirroring those leveled against 81-year-old Duterte, who faces proceedings in The Hague after his capture last year.

"I implore your assistance - please stop another Filipino from being sent to The Hague," dela Rosa pleaded in a Facebook video recorded from his office.

At 64, dela Rosa directed Duterte's aggressive purge, resulting in thousands of suspected drug traffickers killed; advocacy groups charge officers with orchestrated killings and concealment.

Authorities dismiss these claims, insisting the over 6,000 fatalities in drug raids involved armed suspects who fought back.

In response to the disturbance, an official from the Philippine Interior Ministry arrived to de-escalate tensions.

Per Reuters, the Interior Minister clarified that officials were present "not to intimidate Senator Dela Rosa, but to ensure his protection."

This story is developing.