FLASH
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More than a dozen gunshots were heard in the Philippine Senate as police and marines intervened to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges related to crimes against humanity.
Al Jazeera journalist Jamela Alindogan reported that journalists were forced to flee and seek shelter after gunfire erupted on Wednesday evening, just minutes after soldiers armed with rifles and protective gear entered the steps of the Senate building.
" About 15 shots were heard and we were forced to retreat ," Alindogan said, adding that security forces then ordered the evacuation of the building.
It is not yet clear who fired the shots.
Earlier in the day, Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa said he expected his arrest and called on supporters to gather near parliament to prevent his detention and transfer to The Hague.
" I'm appealing to you. I hope you can help me. Don't let another Filipino be sent to The Hague ," dela Rosa said in a video posted on Facebook.
After the publication of his message, Philippine law enforcement authorities began gathering outside the Senate building, confirmed the official in charge of parliamentary security, Mao Aplasca.
The former Philippine police chief, otherwise known by the nickname "Bato," which means "rock" in Filipino, asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to hand him over to the International Criminal Court.
He stated that he was willing to face justice in the Philippines and not abroad.
Confined to his parliamentary office for fear of arrest, dela Rosa said he had served the country faithfully.
" I hope that as the father of the nation, you will take care of all Filipinos. That is the role of the government, to take care of its people ," he told reporters, while addressing President Marcos.
" I did everything for the country. I didn't get rich. I worked faithfully ," he declared with tears in his eyes.
" Mr. President, one day you too may face a situation like this. You too may experience problems and then you will understand what I am feeling right now ."
The International Criminal Court on Monday published the arrest warrant for dela Rosa, a document dated November, in which he is suspected of crimes against humanity.
He is accused of the same criminal offenses for which former President Rodrigo Duterte, 81, is facing justice, who is in The Hague awaiting trial after his arrest last year.
Dela Rosa was considered one of Duterte's closest aides and was the key figure who led the fierce war on drugs during his presidency.
According to official police data, more than 6,000 people suspected of being drug traffickers or users were killed during police operations.
However, human rights organizations claim that thousands more people lost their lives in extrajudicial killings in poor neighborhoods, attacks often attributed to vigilantes or clashes between criminal groups.
Philippine police have denied allegations of systematic executions and a cover-up of the killings, stating that the people killed had resisted arrest during the operations.
According to Al Jazeera's correspondent, Duterte's allies believe they should not be held accountable before international justice and do not recognize the authority of the ICC.
She added that although violent incidents are not uncommon in Manila, clashes inside state institutions and courtrooms are considered rare and worrisome.
The “war on drugs” was the main electoral promise that brought Rodrigo Duterte to power in 2016. During his campaign and terms, Duterte publicly promised to kill thousands of drug traffickers and repeatedly challenged the International Criminal Court to investigate his actions.
Former President Duterte's defense team has stated that he is innocent and that his harsh rhetoric was intended to intimidate criminals and not to incite extrajudicial killings.
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