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.
In a press briefing, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed that Dela Rosa has left the building.
According to Cayetano, Dela Rosa's wife said they planned on staying in the Senate but changed their minds after the shooting incident on the night of May 13.
"He told me habang tumatagal kasi siya diyan sa loob ay mas madadamay kayo," he said, quoting Dela Rosa's wife.
The confirmation came after reports from ONE News and other media outlets said that Dela Rosa left the Senate 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 had yet to validate the report on Dela Rosa's whereabouts. Upon confirmation, 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.
