Philippine Senator Wanted by ICC Escapes from Senate

A Philippine senator wanted by the International Criminal Court for an alleged crime against humanity has fled from the Senate, where he sought refuge to evade arrest, officials said on Thursday. Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s exit from the heavily guarded Senate came after volleys of gunshots were fired on Wednesday night by the building’s security personnel during an argument with a government agent, sparking chaos that apparently helped the senator to slip out. President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr made a late-night TV statement to ask the public to remain calm. A police investigation was under way, including into suspicions that the incident was instigated to provide dela Rosa a cover to escape. “There is no obstruction of justice,” Senate President Alan Cayetano said of dela Rosa’s escape while in the Senate’s protective custody. “The sergeant at arms has confirmed that Senator Bato is no longer in the building,” Cayetano told a news conference, using Dela Rosa’s nickname. Cayetano said Dela Rosa’s wife sent him a message confirming that her husband had “made his escape”.