Kin of Philippines 'drug war victims' hope for justice as ICC approves probe

FILE PHOTO: Relatives of drug war victims hold photographs of their slain loved ones with placards calling for justice as they march towards the presidential Malacanang Palace during a protest to commemorate President Rodrigo Duterte's final year in office, in Manila, Philippines, June 30, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA (Reuters) - Families of people killed in the Philippines' war on drugs are hopeful that a formal investigation into possible crimes against humanity approved by judges from the International Criminal Court earlier this week will result in justice for the victims.

Rights groups say Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte incited deadly violence and accuse police of murdering unarmed suspects on a massive scale as part of the anti-narcotics campaign launched in 2016.