Following turmoil in the Senate, a Philippine politician sought by the ICC made a getaway.

A prominent politician in the Philippines, sought by the International Criminal Court, has ceased to seek refuge at the Senate, following what his wife described as an “escape,” as stated by the Senate president on Thursday, just one day after turmoil ensued regarding his potential arrest.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the former police chief and key enforcer of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs,” is sought for crimes against humanity, the same charges facing Duterte, and has been under the Senate’s protection since Monday.

Late on Wednesday, gunshots echoed within the heavily guarded Senate, prompting people to seek cover. This occurred just hours after dela Rosa, 64, took to social media to urge his supporters to mobilize, claiming that agents were en route to arrest him.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano stated on Thursday that he was no longer present and shared a text message he claimed was from Dela Rosa’s wife, expressing regret for the chaos that his presence had caused. “The reason for the delay is that I’m certain Ronald made his escape,” read the message from Nancy dela Rosa.

The message did not reveal Dela Rosa’s location but stated that fleeing “was not part of the plan.”

Significant Challenge for Marcos

The Senate standoff presents a significant challenge to the authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, as his government was unable to confirm on Thursday whether dela Rosa had fled, who was responsible for the shooting, or the identities of those who attempted to enter the Senate.

Marcos finds himself in a contentious and protracted conflict with the powerful Duterte family and its political associates, maintaining that he did not issue any directive for the arrest of Dela Rosa, a devoted supporter of the former president.

Dela Rosa’s request for assistance on social media resulted in turmoil on Wednesday, characterized by a significant police and armed guard presence at the Senate, protests occurring outside, and over a dozen shots fired shortly after a marine detachment was summoned to enhance security.

Police spokesperson Randulf Tuano stated that investigations are currently in progress, with bullet casings and assault rifle magazines having been recovered. Additionally, one individual has been detained who provided names that are now being verified.

A warrant for Dela Rosa’s arrest, dated November, was unsealed by the ICC on Monday. He has submitted an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, contending that the ICC lacks jurisdiction following the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.

Mysterious Slumland Killings

Dela Rosa, known for his tough demeanor, gained celebrity status as Duterte’s chief aide, managing a rigorous campaign that resulted in the deaths of thousands of suspected drug dealers. Rights organizations have accused the police of engaging in systematic killings and cover-ups during this period.

The police refute this claim, asserting that all of the over 6,000 individuals killed in Project Double Barrel were armed and had resisted arrest.

Activists assert that the true death toll may remain unknown, as users and dealers are shot daily in enigmatic slumland killings that police attribute to vigilantes and territorial disputes.

During an interview with DZBB that aired on Thursday, dela Rosa stated that he will “exhaust all available remedies” to prevent his ICC transfer. After learning about the conditions Duterte was facing, he expressed that he was no longer willing to pursue his case in the Hague.

Dela Rosa and Duterte have both refuted allegations of encouraging police to carry out murders.

Political tension has escalated since Monday, marked by the dramatic return of dela Rosa after six months of absence and the impeachment of the ex-president’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who was formerly aligned with Marcos.

Marcos depended on the backing of the Duterte family to secure victory in the 2022 election, but an intense fallout ensued, culminating in him bringing Rodrigo Duterte before the court in The Hague, where he is set to become the first former Asian head of state to face trial.

Sara Duterte, currently in The Hague visiting her father, is battling for her political survival as she confronts an impeachment trial in the Senate that could jeopardize her aspirations for the 2028 presidency.

The impeachment court will convene on Monday and is anticipated to transform into a stage for the intense rivalry between the opposing factions, with Marcos loyalists facing off against Duterte’s allies.

Sara Duterte stated that dela Rosa would be the focus of extraordinary rendition, comparing it to what she described as her father’s unlawful abduction.

“What we are witnessing at this moment is the administration employing all governmental resources to dismantle political opposition,” she stated in remarks disseminated by her office.