Former Vice President Leni Robredo has welcomed the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a crucial step toward justice and accountability for the thousands of deaths linked to his administration’s controversial drug war.

Speaking at a campaign event and press briefing in Naga City on Saturday (March 15), Robredo said Duterte’s predicament underscores the importance of upholding human rights and the rule of law. She was joined by her ally, former Senator and now Mamamayang Liberal party-list nominee Leila De Lima.

Robredo drew comparisons between Duterte’s legal troubles and De Lima’s prolonged detention, recalling how the former senator was imprisoned for over six years on what she described as trumped-up drug charges during Duterte’s presidency.

“I won’t go into the legalities, but I can’t help but compare former President Duterte’s situation now to what Senator Leila went through before,” Robredo said. “We all know what she endured—incarcerated for almost seven years on fabricated charges.”

Duterte was reportedly flown to The Hague following his arrest to face charges of crimes against humanity, specifically for mass killings under his anti-drug campaign. The former president has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated.

Robredo, however, emphasized that the arrest marks an essential step toward justice. “This is the first step toward accountability. When people talk about due process and fairness, I always think back to what Senator Leila went through,” she added.

The arrest has sparked both condemnation and support, with human rights groups hailing the development as a victory for victims’ families, while Duterte’s allies decry it as a political attack.