Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed hope that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte would mark the beginning of holding accountable all government officials and personnel responsible for the alleged killings during the implementation of the campaign against illegal drugs.
"The thousands of Filipinos killed during tokhang were not murdered by one man alone. Sana ay simula pa lang ito ng paghahabol sa lahat ng mga opisyal at kawani ng gobyerno na responsable sa pagpatay sa inosente o walang kalaban-laban," Hontiveros said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
She further applauded the arrest, stating that the families of the thousands of Filipinos who were killed during the bloody "tokhang" campaign under Duterte’s leadership have finally seen the day they have been waiting for.
The Senator further pointed out that she holds firm to Duterte's declaration made under oath during the Senate hearing, where he vowed to face the charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"Sana, bilang abugado, siya ay sumunod sa mga proseso nito," the Senator added.
At a House Quad-Committee hearing in October, the former president expressed his willingness to accept full legal responsibility for the drug war carried out during his administration.
Moreover, Hontiveros expressed hope that Malacañang would honor its commitment, comply with all ICC requests through Interpol, and ensure that justice is fully served.
Early Tuesday, Malacañang confirmed that the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for former President Duterte had been carried out.
Duterte and his group arrived in Manila from Hong Kong at 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday. Over the weekend, he participated in a thanksgiving event with OFWs, accompanied by the senatorial candidates he is endorsing.
Upon his arrival, the Prosecutor General presented the ICC notification for an arrest warrant against the former President on charges of crimes against humanity.
