House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon on Friday, July 17, rejected calls for the Philippines to return to an "iron-fist" style of governance following the fatal stabbing of a motorcycle rider in Caloocan City, warning against endorsing extrajudicial killings as a solution to crime.

Speaking during a House press conference, Ridon acknowledged the public outrage over the recent killing but said violent crime should not be used to justify unlawful killings or the revival of policies associated with extrajudicial executions.

Ridon said that while calls to "eliminate all criminals" may appear appealing on social media, such rhetoric ignores the consequences of extrajudicial killings, including the deaths of innocent people and the continuing legal proceedings related to the previous administration's anti-drug campaign.

"Yun po ba? Parang that is something that is unacceptable kasi the question on extrajudicial killings is still being litigated at The Hague today. At okay siguro 'yun sa Facebook post na parang ubusin lahat 'yan. Pero we will go back to the most basic point. If it comes to your doorstep, inosente yung kapatid mo, asawa mo, mahal mo sa buhay, subjected to extrajudicial killings," Ridon said.

"We just have to go back to Kian Delos Santos. Is that the governance that we actually want? Lives lost. Childhoods lost. I think that is something that is cute on a Facebook post, pero in real terms, I don't think that is a life that they would want to see again," he added.

Ridon emphasized that while the government must address criminality, it should do so within the bounds of the law and with respect for due process and human rights.

His remarks came amid renewed online discussions advocating a return to a tougher approach to law enforcement following the stabbing incident in Caloocan City, with some social media users calling for the reinstatement of policies associated with the previous administration's war on drugs.