By Elami Go
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is reportedly no longer inside the Senate building after a night of confusion and heightened security following an alleged attempt by armed individuals to access the chamber.
A Senate secretariat official, in a message forwarded to a lawmaker, confirmed that the senator had left the premises at around 2:30 a.m. Thursday. The information has not yet been formally confirmed by the Senate as an institution.
The development follows a chaotic Wednesday night incident at the Senate complex in Pasay City, where armed men allegedly tried to enter through the second floor. They were stopped by personnel from the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, who reportedly fired warning shots amid the security threat.
The situation unfolded under heightened tension as Dela Rosa is currently the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation linked to alleged crimes in connection with the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. Earlier this week, he had been placed under Senate protective custody after authorities attempted to serve an ICC-related arrest warrant.
His legal counsel had previously maintained that the senator remained inside the chamber and had been taking refuge within the Senate premises.
Malacañang has since stated that no government security forces were responsible for the gunfire and has ordered a formal probe into the incident. Authorities have also confirmed that no injuries were recorded.
The Senate has yet to clarify Dela Rosa’s exact status or whereabouts following the reported departure.
ia/xf
