For families of Philippines drug war victims, Duterte's arrest revives hopes for justice

Duterte arrested in Manila, flown to The Hague as families of drug war victims seek justice.

The moment Jerica Ann Pico, the widow of a man who was killed during the war on drugs in the Philippines, heard the news of former President Rodrigo Duterte's arrest, she said it felt like a fresh breath of life had rushed back into her.

She said she never thought she would live to see the day when justice no longer seemed out of reach for her husband, one of the thousands killed during Duterte's brutal anti-narcotics campaign.

"I was surprised and felt as if I had been brought back to life because what we have been fighting for is finally coming to fruition - we are finally getting justice for our loved ones who were taken from us," said Pico after attending a Mass in the Quezon City region of Manila with families of other victims.

At the church, stark reminders of the drugs war lined the steps of the altar - photos of those who lost their lives under Duterte's six-year campaign. Many of their families, like Pico, now hope to see the former president behind bars.

In a dramatic turn of events, Duterte was arrested in Manila on Tuesday at the request of the International Criminal Court and flown to The Hague hours later, marking the biggest step yet in the court of last resort's probe into his bloody "war on drugs."

The 79-year old Duterte could become the first Asian former head of state to go on trial at the ICC.

"For families of extra-judicial killing victims, this is our only wish-that those responsible be held accountable," said Pico, the 30-year-old mother of one.