Former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest on Tuesday, March 11 sends a "powerful messaage" about justice, former long-time Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Colmemares said.

In a statement, Colmenares called Duterte's arrest a "significant step toward justice for the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and human rights violations under his administration".

"This arrest, while long overdue, sends a powerful message that justice can be achieved thru perseverance and struggle," said the lawyer, who is also a co-counsel of the families of victims of the fake Duterte drug war said. 

On Tuesday morning, authorities in Manila allegedly served to Duterte an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ex-president had just arrived home from Hong Kong when this happened.

Duterte was taken in just 17 days shy of his 80th birthday.

"We have consistently called for accountability for the massive human rights violations committed during the Duterte administration, particularly the thousands of lives lost in the so-called  'war on drugs'," Colmemares said.

Colmenares, a long-time human rights advocate and critic of the Duterte administration, emphasized that the arrest is just the beginning of a long process toward justice.

"The arrest of former president Duterte is a welcome development and long overdue. Sa wakas, mananagot na siya sa libu-libong buhay na nawala dahil sa kanyang madugong War on Drugs at iba pang human rights violations na nangyari sa ilalim ng kanyang administrasyon," Colmenares said.

(The arrest of former president Duterte is a welcome development and long overdue. Finally, he will be held accountable for the thousands of lives lost due to his bloody War on Drugs and other human rights violations that occurred under his administration.)

He also called on the current administration to protect witnesses and evidence that will be crucial in the prosecution of cases against the former president.

"This is a historic moment for human rights in the Philippines. After years of impunity, we are finally seeing concrete steps toward accountability. The road to full justice is still long, but this arrest is a significant milestone that gives hope to the thousands of families who lost their loved ones," Colmenares said.