THANKSGIVING. Pictures of so-called extrajudicial killing victims beneath the Duterte administration’s drug warfare are displayed on the Sacred Coronary heart Parish in Kamuning, Quezon Metropolis the place a Mass was held March 11, 2025. Rise Up for Life and for Rights reported on Monday (March 17) a surge in on-line harassment in opposition to households of drug warfare victims following the arrest of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. (PNA picture by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA, Philippines – An ecumenical human rights group has reported a surge in on-line harassment in opposition to households of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims through the earlier administration’s drug warfare following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
In an announcement issued Monday, Rise Up for Life and for Rights mentioned on-line threats and misinformation have elevated in latest days, significantly focusing on witnesses and victims’ households.
“There was a pointy spike in hate speech, threats and harassment, particularly focused at ladies who’ve been talking out on the killing of their family members. The web can also be once more immediately flooded with deceptive and downright false data intentionally designed to drumbeat help or amplify help for Duterte,” the assertion learn.
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Day of reckoning comes for Duterte
Duterte, accused of committing crimes in opposition to humanity in connection together with his anti-illegal medication marketing campaign, was arrested on the airport upon his return from Hong Kong on March 11 by an arrest warrant issued by the Worldwide Legal Court docket (ICC).
The warrant was obtained by the Worldwide Legal Police Group (Interpol) Manila and applied by the Philippine Nationwide Police (PNP).
The previous Philippine chief arrived in The Hague, Netherlands on March 12 and was turned over to the ICC Detention Heart in Scheveningen.
Rise Up, which assisted households of drug warfare victims in submitting complaints with the ICC, mentioned Duterte’s supporters have continued to defend him on-line, with some resorting to “character assassination” of ICC judges and victims’ kin.
Rise Up mentioned the surge in threats underscores the continued affect of Duterte and his supporters, including that he stays a hazard to these looking for justice.
“The amount of those incidents are incontrovertible proof that Rodrigo Duterte, himself and the hate and violent tradition he permits, remains to be a menace to victims who dare to talk up or testify,” it mentioned.
No to interim launch
The group urged the ICC to disclaim any request for Duterte’s interim launch, arguing that his historical past of inciting violence might additional endanger victims and witnesses.
“Such unreasonable strong-arm techniques should be rooted out, and the ICC, we respectfully submit, should not give him any alternative to fan the flames by permitting launch,” it mentioned.
Rise Up additionally referred to as on the Philippine authorities to help the ICC’s investigation and rejoin the court docket.
“It’s time to cease the killings within the Philippines by holding perpetrators accountable,” the assertion mentioned.
In the meantime, the Philippine authorities has acknowledged the unfold of misinformation linked to Duterte’s arrest.
Presidential Communications Workplace (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro mentioned Monday the company is working to fight the rise of faux information, attributing its improve to the ICC proceedings in opposition to Duterte.
“That is very apparent that extra pretend information are lingering perhaps due to the current scenario relating to the arrest of former president Duterte,” Castro mentioned.
The PCO is coordinating with the Nationwide Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Nationwide Police to trace down these spreading misinformation. (PNA)
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