From left to right: La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V, former president Rodrigo Duterte, Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun (Facebook, Malacañang photo)

Members of the House "Young Guns" bloc want the country’s institutions to pounce on former president Rodrigo Duterte's apparent admission of his responsibility in the killings during his administration's bloody war on drugs. 

Deputy Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre; Assistant Majority Leaders Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun, Nueva Ecija 1st district Rep. Mika Suansing, La Union 1st district Paolo Ortega; and Cagayan de Oro City 1st district Rep. Lordan Suan released a joint statement Monday afternoon, Oct. 28 wherein they urged the justice system to "seize this moment and act without fear or favor".

Duterte made this admission during his appearance in the inquiry of the other legislative chamber--the Senate--on the previous administration’s anti-narcotics campaign. 

Acidre said Duterte’s statement at the Senate hearing leaves no room for leniency. “Duterte’s admission has removed any ambiguity." 

'Duterte must be held accountable' 

“The former President has publicly accepted responsibility for these deaths. If we truly stand by our principles of justice and the rule of law, then Mr. Duterte must be held accountable. He must go to jail for these EJKs (extrajudicial killings). This is not about politics; it’s about justice,” he said. 

Acidre stressed that no one, especially those in positions of power, should be immune from legal consequences. “Duterte’s words have given the justice system a clear mandate to act. As public servants, our duty is to uphold justice—not to shield individuals. Duterte must face the legal consequences for his actions.” 

ICC option 

Khonghun echoed Acidre’s stance: “Duterte’s admission offers an opportunity to reaffirm our nation’s commitment to the rule of law. This is a critical time for our institutions to show their strength by pursuing the legal accountability that so many families have waited for,” he said. 

Ortega underscored the potential role of the International Criminal Court (ICC), should domestic avenues fail. 

“If Philippine authorities do not act, the ICC could be a crucial avenue for justice. We must ensure accountability for the lives lost and demonstrate that no one is above the law,” he remarked. 

For her part, Suansing underscored the role of government institutions in ensuring that justice is upheld. 

“Our judiciary and investigative bodies now have a duty to act on this admission. The former President’s own words must be met with a serious response. For too long, victims of EJKs have waited for answers,” she said. 

DOJ, Ombudsman 'must act decisively' 

Suan, a lawyer, called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman to initiate a full investigation. 

“We cannot ignore such an admission. These institutions must act decisively and transparently to restore faith in our justice system,” he said. 

Acidre further said: “Our nation is at a crucial juncture, and the path forward is clear: Duterte must answer to the law. Let this be the moment where we stand firm for justice, dignity, and the lives lost.”