The families of victims of the Duterte regime’s war on drugs welcome the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the conviction of the three police officers who killed Kian de los Santos. According to Rise Up for Life, a group of victims and their families, this provides finality and justice for the de los Santos family.

“I’m happy for Kian’s family because of the Supreme Court’s decision to imprison the police involved,” Nanay Dahlia, a mother who lost her children to the war on drugs, said.

However, the decision also magnifies the injustice for the thousands of other families who lost loved ones in Rodrigo Duterte’s bogus drug war, according to Rise Up. These families continue to call on the Department of Justice to conduct proper investigations and file cases. Despite this, the actions of the DoJ and local courts remain gravely insufficient. Thus, Rise Up highly values the ongoing proceedings at the International Criminal Court, where Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity.

Nanay Dahlia said former President Rodrigo Duterte must still be held accountable. “He declared the War on Drugs, so even if some police officers go to prison, Duterte’s accountability must not be forgotten,” she said.

She hopes that she and other families of victims of extrajudicial killings will also attain justice.

Karapatan also welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision. However, Duterte and his cohorts must also be brought to justice as the drug war’s masterminds.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said Duterte’s policies and statements emboldened the police to kill.

“There can only be real justice for Kian and the other victims if Duterte and his closest lieutenants are held accountable for their leading roles in the drug war carnage, and not just foot soldiers like the three convicted policemen,” she said.