More than a dozen gunshots rang out at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday evening as police and marines moved in to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.

Al Jazeera’s Jamela Alindogan reported that journalists ran for cover moments after soldiers with rifles and protective gear ascended the stairs of the legislative building. It remains unclear who fired the shots.

Dela Rosa had earlier anticipated his arrest and urged supporters to gather at the legislature to prevent his detention and transfer to the ICC. He appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to hand him over, insisting he is ready to face justice in the Philippines.

The former police chief, known as “Bato” (rock), was the top enforcer of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal “war on drugs,” during which police claim over 6,000 suspected dealers were killed. Dela Rosa denies involvement in extrajudicial killings.

The ICC unsealed an arrest warrant for dela Rosa dated November, charging him with crimes against humanity—the same charges faced by Duterte, who is now in The Hague awaiting trial. Dela Rosa has been under Senate protective custody since Monday.

“I did everything for the country. I did not enrich myself. I worked faithfully,” dela Rosa told reporters, his eyes welling with tears. He warned Marcos that he too might one day face a similar situation.

Duterte’s “war on drugs” was a central platform of his 2016 election campaign. Human rights groups allege thousands of extrajudicial killings were covered up as police operations. Duterte maintains his innocence, claiming his rhetoric was meant to deter criminals.

Source: www.aljazeera.com