MANILA: Families of individuals killed in the Philippine drug war are urging authorities to investigate what they describe as a coordinated campaign of online harassment targeting them. They are calling on law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible and help them pursue legal action.
Among those affected is Sheerah Escudero, whose 18-year-old brother was found dead in 2017, his body bloodied, hands tied, and head wrapped in packaging tape. Escudero, like other victims' families, has faced a surge in online attacks since the March 11 arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. He is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, awaiting trial for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign.
Katherine Panguban, a lawyer with the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) representing Escudero and other victims, said the families have been subjected to intimidation and online abuse. "They have been called liars, paid operatives, and fake victims," Panguban stated.
Escudero previously reported that her Facebook account was bombarded with messages accusing her of being a drug addict and fabricating claims for financial gain. Similarly, human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, who represents drug war victims, has also been a target of online attacks.
On Friday, Escudero, Conti, and three others formally asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to trace the IP addresses and identities of those spreading misinformation and harassment on social media.
"We hope the NBI can assist in identifying those behind these attacks so that legal action can be taken," Panguban emphasized.
Beyond the online threats, social media has been flooded with false claims, including allegations from Duterte's supporters that his arrest was equivalent to "kidnapping." Reuters also discovered paid advertisements on Facebook promoting the former president.
Duterte, who governed the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, is accused of orchestrating extrajudicial killings in his controversial anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of deaths. At 80 years old, he could become the first former Asian head of state to stand trial in The Hague. Despite the charges, Duterte has maintained that he accepts full responsibility for his administration's drug war.
[Reuters]
