Former President Rodrigo Duterte testifies at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on extrajudicial killings, addressing alleged human rights violations from his administration’s war on drugs on October 28, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- The families of the victims of the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs gathered on Sunday at the Siena College Chapel to mark the eighth anniversary of remembrance for their slain loved ones.

They called for the prosecution of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his cohorts, to hold them accountable for the deaths of thousands.

According to official government data, 6,181 people were killed during the bloody anti-narcotics campaign that the 79-year-old Duterte implemented during his administration. However, several rights groups believe that up to 30,000 may have been killed.

In an appearance in the Philippine Senate last week, Duterte said he takes "full responsibility" for the war on drugs but maintained that it was "not about killing people."

READ: Duterte says he takes 'full responsibility' for bloody drug war

Felly Fernandez's memories remained vivid as she reflected on the traumatic experience of having her husband and son shot inside their home.

She insisted that those responsible should be held liable. 

"'Pag naalala ko sila, para talaga akong mamamatay. Gusto ko talagang makulong si Duterte o kundi si Bato. Hindi pa sila nakakabayad sa mga inutang na buhay ng mga tao," Fernandez said. 

Emily Soriano's fifteen-year-old child was also a victim in the bloody campaign against illegal drugs last December 2016.

Her child was one of six people killed in a single evening in Barangay Bagong Silang, Caloocan City.

"Masakit sakin na mangyari 'yun sa anak ko, lalo na 'yung anak ko na minor lang," Soriano said.

"Gusto ko mangyari mapanagot si Duterte, makulong siya, pagbayaran mga ginawa niya, at si Bato at ibang sangkot na kapulisan na sumunod sa kanya," she added.

Eight years have passed, but the group remains hopeful as the Quadruple Committee hearing continues its investigation on extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and illegal drugs. 

"Sabi nga nung isang nanay, patay na 'yung asawa ko, sino ang magtatanggol sa kanya kundi kaming nabubuhay," Deaconess Rubylin Litao, coordinator of Rise Up for Life and for Rights. 

"Nagkakaisa sila na si dating Pangulong Duterte ang dahilan ng pagpaslang ng kanilang mga kamag-anak kaya panawagan, panagutin at ikulong," she added. 

READ: At Senate probe, Duterte allies and critics clash on legacy of bloody drug war

ICC WARRANT OF ARREST VS. PRRD

Meanwhile, ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti said that the ICC might issue an arrest warrant for Duterte before the end of the year.

"Ang tanong sa stage ng ICC investigation ay sino ang pinaka-responsable, at sino ang mga responsable. E ngayon sino ang 'pinaka'," Conti said.

"Kaamin lang niya on record and on oath. Si Duterte sabi niya ako ang may kasalanan, ako ang mananagot sa lahat ng 'yan," she added. 

She asserted that Duterte's statements made during the Senate hearing will stand as they are.

"Sabi nung iba, i-pa-qualify natin 'yung statement niya na hindi raw siya 'yung in-charge sa patayan. Pero hindi 'yun 'yung makukuha mo dun sa plain and ordinary meaning ng sinasabi niya," she said. 

READ: Drug war critics question Go, Dela Rosa participation in Senate probe

When he assumed the presidency in 2016, Duterte in public speeches repeatedly gave police officers "shoot to kill" orders for drug personalities who resisted arrest.

Critics even viewed his policy as giving law enforcement free reign to kill, an allegation that the Palace said at the time was not part of the anti-drug policy. 

When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected in 2022, he sought to veer away from Duterte's deadly drug war strategy and promised to make it "bloodless." -- with reports from Jauhn Etienne Villaruel and Rowegie Abanto, ABS-CBN News

RELATED VIDEO: