MANILA, May 13 — Volleys of gunshots were heard ‌at the Philippine Senate today and people were told to run for cover, Reuters witnesses heard, as chaos mounted in anticipation of an attempt to arrest ‌a top senator wanted by the International Criminal Court.

It was unclear what was happening or who fired the shots. More than 10 military personnel in camouflage fatigues had earlier arrived at the Senate building, some carrying assault rifles, Reuters journalists saw.

It was not immediately clear why troops were there and military officials could not immediately be reached for comment. It was unclear if other security personnel were inside the building.

It came as Ronald dela Rosa, the chief enforcer in former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody “war ‌on drugs”, said on Facebook his arrest was imminent and urged people ⁠to mobilise to prevent his handover to ⁠the ICC. 

Dela Rosa, who has taken refuge ⁠in his legislative office since Monday, ⁠called on ⁠the public to turn out and block his arrest, saying that law enforcement agents were on the way following the ICC’s unsealing of an arrest ⁠warrant. 

The warrant, dated November and made public on Monday, seeks the arrest of the former police chief on charges 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.

“I am appealing to ⁠you, I hope you can help me. Do not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague,” dela Rosa said in a ⁠video posted on Facebook from his Senate office.

Dela Rosa, 64, was Duterte’s ⁠top lieutenant ⁠overseeing a fierce crackdown during which thousands of alleged drug dealers were slain, with human rights groups accusing police of systematic murders and cover-ups.

Police reject the allegations ‌and say the more than 6,000 killed in anti-drugs operations were all armed and had resisted arrest. — Reuters

MANILA, May 12 — The top enforcer of former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr today to not hand him over to the International Criminal Court, but said he was ready to face justice at home.

Fearing arrest ‌and hunkered down in his legislative office for a second day, Senator Ronald dela Rosa said he had faithfully served his country.

The ICC unsealed an arrest warrant yesterday for former police chief 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.

Dela Rosa, better known as “Bato”, or “rock”, has been under the protective custody of the Senate since law enforcement agents entered the building on Monday, when he reappeared in public for the first time since November. He has denied involvement in illegal killings.

‘I did everything for the country’

“I hope that, as the father of the nation, you will take care of all Filipinos. That is the role of government, to care for its people,” dela Rosa told reporters ‌when asked what his message was to President Marcos.

“I did everything for the country. I did not enrich myself. I ⁠worked faithfully,” he said, his eyes welling with tears.

“Mr. ⁠President, (you) may one day face a situation like this. You may also encounter problems, ⁠and then you will understand, you will ⁠feel what I am feeling ⁠right now.”

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. Thousands of users were also gunned down in mysterious slumland murders blamed on vigilantes ⁠or turf wars.

Police say those killed during operations had resisted arrest and reject activists allegations of systematic murders and cover-ups.

No word from interpol

Today, police stood in line behind riot shields outside the Senate, where all committee meetings were cancelled following dramatic scenes a day earlier, when dela Rosa was seen scrambling for the safety of his office as agents from the National Bureau of Investigation arrived.

National police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez in a statement on Tuesday said no order ⁠had been received to make an arrest, but police remain “prepared to act in accordance with lawful directives and established procedures”.

The office of the president reiterated that the Philippines is no longer a signatory to the ⁠ICC’s founding treaty but can execute an ICC warrant if requested by Interpol, the same procedure as Duterte’s arrest.

Asked by Reuters ⁠in a text ⁠message how soon an Interpol request could be made, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said: “Only Interpol knows”.

The war on drugs was the key platform that swept Duterte to power in 2016 as a tough-talking mayor who during televised public speeches promised to kill thousands of ‌drug dealers while repeatedly daring the ICC to come after him.

Duterte’s defence team at the ICC has said he maintains his innocence and his tough rhetoric was designed to instil fear among criminals. — Reuters