There are conflicting reports about who fired the shots on Wednesday, May 13.
Gunshots broke out in chaotic scenes at the Senate on Wednesday
night, May 13, where troops had been deployed after Sen. Ronald “Bato”
dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) urged
supporters to mobilize and thwart his imminent arrest.
The
Hague-based court on Monday, May 11, unsealed an arrest warrant for Dela
Rosa, dated November, on charges of crimes against humanity.
The
events unfolded after the Supreme Court did not issue the temporary
restraining order (TRO) sought by Dela Rosa. Instead the SC ordered the
government to comment within 72 hours on his petition for a TRO against
his arrest and turnover to the ICC in The Hague.
In the absence of
the TRO, authorities were expected to carry out Dela Rosa’s arrest for
crimes against humanity – an offense with the maximum penalty of life in
prison, which does not grant him the privilege of immunity from arrest
while the Senate is in session.
There are conflicting reports
about who fired the shots on Wednesday. Senate Secretary Mark Llandro
Mendoza said people he believed to be agents of the National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI) had attempted to enter the Senate and fired shots as
they retreated. But NBI Director Melvin Matibag told the media that no
agents were there.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic
Remulla said armed individuals attempted to forcibly enter the second
floor of the Senate building at around 7:46 p.m.
Remulla said
Senate Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) personnel blocked their
entry and fired warning shots, but the armed group reportedly responded
with continuous gunfire.
Authorities said the identity and motive
of the armed men remain unknown, including whether they were connected
to any official security unit.
No casualties were reported on the
side of OSAA, police, or military personnel, while the condition of
those in the opposing group has not been confirmed.
Remulla also clarified that security forces present at the Senate were deployed for protection and not to arrest Dela Rosa.
The
Senate was heavily guarded throughout Wednesday, with security staff
wearing flak jackets and carrying rifles and police deployed as
protesters gathered.
Moments before the gunshots, more than 10
Marines in camouflage fatigues carrying assault rifles were seen
arriving at the building, a detachment the ?military said ?had been
requested by the Senate.
Remulla arrived at the Senate at around
8:30 p.m., telling the media that he was there not to arrest Dela Rosa
but to “secure the senators” amid the gunfire.
Remulla ordered police to secure pieces of evidence in the Senate to shed light on the shooting incident earlier.
“Secure the CCTV room, there is nothing to be touched,” he told police before entering the Senate building.
He
arrived with over 30 police officers led by National Capital Region
Police Office director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin for a meeting with
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Earlier, Dela Rosa was seen
with Sen. Robinhood Padilla entering the elevator along with several
others, presumably security escorts.
Cayetano went on Facebook Live after the gunshots and slammed the NBI for the incident.
“I don’t know what’s happening. Why are we under attack here?” Cayetano said.
“I’m willing to go out and face anyone who is going to serve the warrant. But do not do this!”
His sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, also appeared in live feed talking to Matibag. “What are you going to do about this? Pinuputukan kami rito!” Pia said.
When the NBI official said there were gunshots because of the Senate security’s actions, Pia said: “Do your job! Make us safe!”
Aside
from the Cayetanos, Sen. Camille Villar was also seen in the live feed.
Cayetano confirmed that the majority was having a caucus when the
gunshots were heard.
Over 1,500 police officers were securing the
Senate premises, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio
Nartatez Jr. said. He arrived at the Senate shortly before 9 p.m. to
personally get information about the shooting incident.
Except for
officers from the Police Security and Protection Group assigned as
security detail to some senators, Nartatez said no other police officers
were in the building when the shooting occurred. Nartatez said he has
no information who were involved in the shooting.
‘Help me,’ Dela Rosa says
“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 earlier on
Wednesday in a video on Facebook from his Senate office, where he has
taken refuge since Monday when placed under legislative protection.
Dela
Rosa, who returned to the Senate on Monday for the first time since
disappearing from public view in November, has appealed to Marcos not to
hand him over to the ICC. – With Reuters