Families affected by extra-judicial killings under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs” urge the International Criminal Court (ICC) to pursue with vigor an investigation into the killings under the sham drug war. The withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome statute was a maneuver to block the ICC, as an avenue for redress for the drug war killings and other abuses by the Duterte administration.

As victims of abuse and families of those killed, we want -- in fact, we are on the edge of our seats in anticipation -- for the investigation phase of the ICC to immediately and vigorously proceed.

It is our prayer that the ICC investigation will ferret out truth and evidence that can bring justice and accountability for the killings of our loved ones.

Still, this is also about more than our important pursuit of justice: a society that allows widespread and systematic killings needs to be corrected.

Allowing for impunity to persist in the Philippines is not acceptable. Rather than the Philippine government seeking to block the investigation, they should cooperate and support the investigation. The truth will make us free.