Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa no longer within Senate premises
Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa is no longer within the Senate premises as of Thursday, May 14.
ONE News reported that Dela Rosa left the building at around 2:30 a.m., as confirmed by a member of the Senate Secretariat.
In a press briefing later in the day, the NBI said they have yet to validate the report on Dela Rosa's whereabouts. If they confirm that the senator has indeed left the building, the NBI said they will conduct an inter-agency operation. The PNP assured the public that no special treatment would be given to Dela Rosa.
The Senate has been on lockdown since May 11 after NBI agents arrived to serve an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Dela Rosa for alleged crimes against humanity. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano placed Dela Rosa, who showed up at the Senate that day after being absent for six months, under Senate protective custody.
On Wednesday, May 13, at least five shots were heard inside the legislative building as agents of the NBI and PNP were seen in the premises. During that time, several senators were still inside, including Dela Rosa.
No casualties were reported.
Earlier in the day, Dela Rosa shared he received information he would be arrested after the day's session.
The senator served as the PNP chief during former president Rodrigo Duterte's term, allegedly helping him carry out the so-called drug war, for which Duterte is awaiting trial at The Hague. Duterte is charged with three counts of murder as crimes against humanity. Dela Rosa has been identified as one of Duterte's co-perpetrators and is now on the ICC wanted list.
This is a developing story.
