Dahlia Cuartero, whose son Jesus was killed during a buy-bust operation in March 2019, said Sara Duterte’s remarks ignored the suffering of bereaved families. “They cannot even say right now if the victims are truly victims of the drug war because gun violence is so common in the Philippines,” the vice president said. Families of drug war victims have spent nearly a decade seeking truth, justice and accountability, the group said. The coalition also noted that victims’ families have continued speaking out despite fear, joining protests, congressional proceedings and legal efforts in pursuit of justice. Rise Up also criticized the vice president for delivering a speech against the ICC while impeachment proceedings against her remain pending before the Senate.