A Philippine senator wanted by the International Criminal Court flees from Senate

Senate security run after gunfire was heard along a hallway at the Philippine Senate in Pasay, Philippines, Wednesday. Aaron Favila/AP hide caption toggle caption Aaron Favila/AP MANILA, Philippines — 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 Thursday. Sen. Ronald dela Rosa's exit from the heavily guarded Senate came after volleys of gunshots were fired 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 Jr. made a late-night TV statement to ask the public to remain calm. A police investigation was underway, 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. He told a news briefing that he did not see any ICC warrant of arrest against dela Rosa and the senator was free to leave the premises. Critics, however, said Cayetano and the Senate's security chief should be held responsible for dela Rosa's escape. Dela Rosa, 64, served as the former national police chief of Rodrigo Duterte, who was president from 2016 to 2022. …