Philippine Drug War Victims’ Families Demand Investigation into Online Harassment
Families of Philippine drug war victims face coordinated online harassment following the arrest of ex-President Duterte. They seek investigations into these attacks to pursue legal actions. Escudero, whose brother was killed, reports severe online abuse. They urge the National Bureau of Investigation to help unmask perpetrators and counter misinformation promoting Duterte.
Families of victims from the Philippine drug war are calling for law enforcement to investigate a coordinated online harassment campaign targeting them. They claim this harassment intensified following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11, as he faces trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Key figure Sheerah Escudero, whose brother was violently murdered in 2017, has been one of the primary voices speaking out about this issue.
Katherine Panguban of the National Union of People’s Lawyers noted how the families are being branded as liars and fake victims online. This backlash includes accusations that Escudero is a drug addict and financially motivated to discredit Duterte. The victims urge the National Bureau of Investigation to use digital tracing methods to pinpoint the identities of those behind these malicious attacks.
Escudero shared her distress over the false allegations flooding her social media accounts, intensifying since Duterte’s arrest. Alongside human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, who similarly faces online abuse, they push for accountability against various individuals releasing false narratives. Conti commented on the increasing use of such harassment tactics aimed at undermining bereaved families seeking justice.
Additionally, misleading claims have circulated on social media, including supporters framing Duterte’s arrest as akin to kidnapping. Reports have shown that Duterte supporters are even funding Facebook advertisements to bolster his defense. The former president, who governed from 2016 to 2022, faces severe allegations related to his anti-drug campaign that resulted in numerous fatalities.
Duterte has publicly accepted full responsibility for his administration’s actions during the drug war and is under scrutiny as he could be the first Asian leader to stand trial in The Hague for crimes against humanity.
The families of Philippine drug war victims continue to confront significant online harassment as they seek justice. They have called on law enforcement to investigate these attacks severely and to hold those accountable responsible for the animosity directed towards them. The trend of misinformation and coordinated online attacks highlights the adversities faced by the victims’ families, particularly following Duterte’s legal proceedings. Ultimately, ensuring justice for these families remains a pressing concern.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
