ASEANEWS HEADLINE-DU30 ICC EJK TRIAL | Evading arrest, Bato dela Rosa slips out of Senate after gunfire scare

An official from the Senate secretariat, citing information from a senator, told several members of the media, including Philstar.com, that Dela Rosa was no longer inside the Senate premises.

The official said Dela Rosa left the Senate at around 2:30 a.m. Thursday.

His departure came after a tense Wednesday night at the Senate, where multiple gunshots were heard as the standoff over Dela Rosa’s possible arrest escalated.

Before the incident, Dela Rosa claimed in a Facebook livestream that agents of the National Bureau of Investigation were about to arrest him.

..

News5 reported after the gunfire that Dela Rosa was still inside the Senate building. His lawyer, Israelito Torreon, also posted on Facebook a selfie with the wanted senator.

At around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla told reporters that Dela Rosa wished to stay in his office.

Remulla said he went to the Senate to secure senators and to “protect” Dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa has been wanted by the ICC over alleged crimes against humanity tied to the Duterte administration’s drug war. He has denied involvement in illegal killings.

.

.

.

Cayetano mum

Reporters have yet to hear from Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano or other Senate leaders amid reports that Dela Rosa has slipped out of the premises.

The latest update from Cayetano came last night when he faced reporters outside the Senate building and vowed a probe into the source of the gunfire from last night.

The Senate had placed Dela Rosa under its protection after a leadership power grab where Cayetano was installed Senate president. Dela Rosa, who showed up after hiding for seven months, and allied senators formed a slim new majority on Monday, May 11 behind Cayetano.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday also deferred a temporary restraining order on his arrest or transfer, instead directing government officials to comment on his petition.

..

.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a video statement Wednesday night that government forces were not behind the gunfire and that NBI agents had been ordered to leave the Senate around 4 p.m., hours before the shots were heard. — with reports from Cristina Chi

.  

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

 

Ads by:

Memento Maxima Digital Marketing
@[email protected]
SPACE RESERVE FOR ADVERT

.

.

.