Human rights advocates, critics, and families of drug war victims welcomed the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a step toward long-awaited justice while emphasizing that the fight to hold him fully accountable is far from over.

Philippine authorities apprehended the 79-year-old former leader at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC is investigating Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity, including his reported links to the Davao Death Squad killings during his tenure as Davao City mayor and the thousands of drug-related deaths under his presidency.

Rise Up for Life and for Rights (Rise Up), a group representing families of extrajudicial killing victims, shared initial reactions from affected families on Facebook, expressing relief and hope for justice.

Meanwhile, the former chief executive challenged the legal basis of his arrest.