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Activists gather at Fuente Osmeña in Cebu City to call for justice to the victims of the war on drugs, following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, on March 11, 2025.
Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler
Social media platforms have also reached out amid the attacks, says lawyer Kristina Conti
MANILA, Philippines – The arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte has sparked another wave of attacks on drug war victims’ families — this time, through disinformation and harassment online.
One of these is Aling Sheila, whose two sons lost in the bloody war on drugs have since been called “fake” victims by Duterte supporters. Kristina Conti, a lawyer for Rise Up for Life and for Rights, said that some photos of the victims were also being altered online.
According to Conti, they are now looking at pursuing legal cases against the “most vile” content against drug war victims posted online.
“As much as possible, we would like to refrain from creating more cases out of one case,” she said in a briefing on Sunday, March 23.
“We understand that we have to make an example. We are also cooperating with some government agencies in identification of those who have put up unprotected speech, and speech that could be actionable,” she added.
Conti asked for some time as they are currently prioritizing on ensuring the security of those who have been targeted.
Amid the attacks, social media platforms have also reached out, expressing concern.
“We’re thankful that Meta has reached out, and on their part, they will also look into their community standards and whatever they could do on their end,” Conti said.
“We’ve also heard from… I’m not sure if it was Tiktok or Youtube… some other social media platform has said that they are also looking into this and that they are concerned,” she added.
The false narratives came soon after Duterte’s arrest.
Online, his supporters were quick to create a victim of the former president — noting that he was treated unfairly and echoing the statements made by his daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, who was posting updates on her Instagram profile while Rodrigo’s arrest was unfolding on March 11.
Not even the Supreme Court nor the International Criminal Court were spared of being on the receiving end of disinformation attacks. Duterte supporters also targeted Presiding Judge Iiula Motoc, accusing her of allegedly bringing chaos to the Philippines.
The media, once again, became a target of disinformation as well.
While families of drug war victims welcomed Duterte’s arrest following years of waiting for justice to come, it also brought upon new fears.
Online threats have become more malicious — with some encountering manipulated posts, and victims’ families also now fear getting recognized in public.
Meanwhile, lawyer Benjie Aquino of REDRESS, a global NGO pursuing legal claims in cases involving human rights violations, noted that the disinformation and harassment online have led to some “considering withdrawing from submitting more evidence to the case.”
“Through the disinformation, they are able to feed propaganda that the cases will not hold water,” Aquino said on Sunday.
“Through the disinformation, they are trying to convince the victims that Duterte will eventually be set free and that’s scary for them. They put their hopes on this case only to be told that it will not prosper.” – Rappler.com
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