The Philippine leader called an emergency meeting of senior officials on Thursday after gunfire was heard inside the Philippine Senate building during an attempt to arrest a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court.
On Thursday, 14 May, the Philippine president convened an emergency meeting of senior officials amid escalating political tension following gunfire inside the Philippine Senate building during an attempt to arrest a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Randy Tuano, spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, revealed that authorities have detained one suspect and are conducting an urgent investigation, having found shell casings, assault rifle magazines, and other evidence at the scene.
The police spokesperson added that the detained individual has provided names of certain persons to authorities, but further verification is ongoing amid concerns that the incident may be connected to the country's current intense political conflict.
The individual wanted is Ronald dela Rosa, former national police chief and key enforcer in Rodrigo Duterte's drug war, who is accused of crimes against humanity by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Reports state that dela Rosa, also known as 'Bato', took refuge inside the Senate building after posting on social media to rally his supporters, claiming authorities were about to arrest him.
Later on Wednesday evening, gunfire rang out inside the Senate building, prompting those present to seek shelter amid the chaos and growing fears that the political situation in the Philippines could escalate further.
Meanwhile, Duterte is on track to become the first former Asian leader to face the ICC over the bloody drug war, which allegedly caused numerous deaths during his time in office.
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