Manila, March 20 -- A prelate said Thursday the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte is a glimmer of hope for the victims of his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs and their families.

In a statement, San Carlos, Negros Occidental Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said this development has given renewed vigor to advocates of peace and justice.

"From the harrowing era of state-sponsored killings that plagued our nation to the recent issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against former President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity stemming from his drug war policy, a glimmer of hope emerges," he said.

"This development brings a measure of hope and solace to the thousands of families who lost th...