Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros welcomed "with renewed hope" the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to resume its investigation into the bloody drug war during the Duterte administration.
Hontiveros said she also expressed hope that President Marcos would adhere to international law and the Rome Sfatute ‘’as part of our commitment to the community of nations against state sponsored impunity.’’
"I previously welcomed the commitment of the Justice Secretary (Jesus Crispin) Remulla to provide information to the ICC 'in the spirit of comity', Hontiveros said in a statement on Friday, January 27.
"Now, I hope for the cooperation of all agencies involved so we may give justice and peace of mind to all the victims," she added.
Hontiveros emphasized that the ICC is filling a long-standing vacuum in the investigation of the state-sponsored "Oplan Tokhang."
She pointed out that the government itself could not credibly investigate murders allegedly committed by government agents as part of government policy.
"Justice requires that an impartial body investigate killings connected to the so-called war on drugs. Justice is not fully served when only the foot soldiers are behind bars," she added.
Hontiveros pointed out that the Marcos administration has actively engaged with the wider international community, in contrast to the previous administration, and so it should be necessary for the current admin to express the Philippines’ cooperation with the ICC investigation.
"This increased international participation also makes it only appropriate for the Philippine government to rejoin as a state party to the Rome Statute as soon as possible," she said.
Hontiveros expressed solidarity with the families of Kian delos Santos, Carl Angelo Arnaiz, Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, and thousands of other Filipino families who have had to endure harrowing moments because of state-sponsored impunity.
"We will never forget. There is overwhelming evidence that the war on drugs carried out widespread and systematic violations of human rights. Let justice be done," she stated.