Senator Risa Hontiveros and Act Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro commended the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to resume the investigation into the war against drugs launched by the Duterte administration.
In a <a href="https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2023/0719_hontiveros1.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press statement</a>, Hontiveros said the decision is a stepping stone toward attaining justice for the war on drugs victims, widows, and orphans.
"My hope is that the President [Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.] and the agencies of the Executive will cooperate with the investigation of the ICC so that true justice is obtained," she said.&nbsp;
The Senator said the public is closely watching Marcos' next moves, whether he will prioritize his people or his political alliance.
"Sana ang Bagong Pilipinas nila ay Pilipinas na makatarungan sa lahat," Hontiveros added.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=820451489451537&amp;set=a.405104127652944" target="_blank" rel="noopener">separate statement</a>, Castro regarded the decision as a "significant step towards upholding human rights".&nbsp;&nbsp;
"The ICC's decision to continue its investigation sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and that the victims and their families deserve justice," she underscored.
The Makabayan bloc lawmaker also said that the probe continuation is a shed of "hope" for drug-war-affected families.&nbsp;
She then urged the Marcos administration to "fully cooperate" with the Chamber's investigation as she stressed that it is important that it will "not hinder the pursuit of justice".&nbsp;
"The truth must be revealed, and those responsible for these heinous crimes must be held accountable," Castro added.
On Tuesday evening, ICC Appeals Chamber Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut announced that the ICC prosecutors will continue the drug war probe after the members voted a 3-to-2.
More than 6,000 individuals were killed during the war on drugs campaign&nbsp;<span style="color: #222222; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'; font-size: 17px; background-color: #ffffff;">&mdash; most were only victims and lived in poverty, the latest data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) showed.&nbsp;

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Hontiveros, Castro commend ICC decision to resume drug war probe