BIG POLITICAL TEST FOR MARCOS
The Senate standoff is a major challenge to the authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, whose government was unable to confirm on Thursday if dela Rosa had fled, who exactly was shooting, or the identities of individuals who had tried to enter the Senate.
Marcos is embroiled in a bitter and long-running battle with the influential Duterte family and its political allies and has insisted he gave no order to arrest dela Rosa, a staunch loyalist of the former president.
Dela Rosa’s appeal for help on social media led to chaos on Wednesday, with a hefty presence of police and armed guards at the Senate, protests outside and more than a dozen shots fired just moments after a marine detachment was called in to bolster security.
Police spokesperson Randulf Tuano said investigations were underway, with bullet casings and assault rifle magazines recovered and one person detained who had „provided names“ that were being verified.
National Bureau of Investigation chief Melvin Matibag said the possibility that the incident was staged was also part of the probe.
The ICC unsealed a warrant on Monday for dela Rosa’s arrest, dated November. He has filed an emergency appeal at the Supreme Court, arguing the ICC has no jurisdiction after the Philippines‘ 2019 withdrawal from the Rome Statute.