MATAPOS akuin ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte ang buong responsibilidad sa mga naganap na pagpatay sa pagpapatupad ng war on drugs campaign nito, iginiit ng mga miyembro ng Young Guns ng Kamara de Representantes na dapat harapin ng dating pangulo ang pananagutan sa ilalim ng batas.

Ito ang naging reaksyon ni Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre sa naging pahayag ni Duterte sa imbestigasyon ng Senado.

“The former President has publicly accepted responsibility for these deaths,” sabi ni Acidre. “If we truly stand by our principles of justice and the rule of law, then Mr. Duterte must be held accountable. He must go to jail for these EJKs (extrajudicial killings). This is not about politics; it’s about justice.”

Ayon kay Acidre, walang sinuman, partikular na ang mga nasa posisyon ng kapangyarihan, ang dapat makaligtas sa pananagutan sa ilalim ng batas.

“Duterte’s words have given the justice system a clear mandate to act,” giit pa ni Acidre. “As public servants, our duty is to uphold justice—not to shield individuals. Duterte must face the legal consequences for his actions.”

Sinegundahan naman ni House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun ang paninindigan ni Acidre, at tinawag itong isang mahalagang sandali para sa Pilipinas.

“Duterte’s admission offers an opportunity to reaffirm our nation’s commitment to the rule of law,” ayon kay Khonghun.

“This is a critical time for our institutions to show their strength by pursuing the legal accountability that so many families have waited for,” dagdag pa nito.

Binigyang-diin naman ni House Assistant Majority Leader Mika Suansing ang tungkulin ng mga institusyon ng pamahalaan sa pagtitiyak na ang katarungan ay naipapatupad.

“Our judiciary and investigative bodies now have a duty to act on this admission,” ayon kay Suansing. “The former President’s own words must be met with a serious response. For too long, victims of EJKs have waited for answers.”

Hinimok ni Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Lordan Suan, isang abogado, ang Department of Justice (DOJ) at Office of the Ombudsman na simulan ang isang masusing imbestigasyon.

“We cannot ignore such an admission,” saad pa ni Suan. “These institutions must act decisively and transparently to restore faith in our justice system.”

Sa panig naman ni House Assistant Majority Leader Paolo Ortega, sinabi nito ang posibilidad na gampanan ng International Criminal Court (ICC) ang mahalagang tungkulin kung hindi kikilos ang mga lokal na awtoridad.

“If Philippine authorities do not act, the ICC could be a crucial avenue for justice,” saad pa ni Ortega. “We must ensure accountability for the lives lost and demonstrate that no one is above the law.”

Sa nagkakaisang pahayag, nanawagan ang Young Guns ng Kamara de Representantes sa justice system ng bansa na gamitin ang pagkakataong ito at kumilos nang walang takot o pinapaboran.

“Duterte’s admission has removed any ambiguity,” giit pa ni Acidre kasama ang Young Guns. “Our nation is at a crucial juncture, and the path forward is clear: Duterte must answer to the law. Let this be the moment where we stand firm for justice, dignity, and the lives lost.”