Duterte supporters harass drug war victims’ families post-arrest

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The nightmare seems to never end for families of drug war victims. 

What should have been a period of renewed hope for those left behind has been stained by a new wave of harassment and threats, this time from supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte after his arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

Duterte was arrested on March 11 and surrendered to ICC custody in The Hague on March 12. He faces charges related to crimes against humanity over his violent war on drugs that resulted in at least 6,200 deaths in police operations alone by May 2022. The number reaches 30,000 to include those killed vigilante-style, as estimated by human rights organizations.

The news of Duterte’s arrest was welcomed by the families. Tina*, whose brother was killed in September 2017, was overjoyed and felt more eager to continue the fight. One of the first things she did was go on interviews with media outfits. She had done it before — speaking at events, talking to journalists — because she sees it as a way to keep her brother’s memory alive.

But speaking out after Duterte’s arrest has escalated security concerns far beyond what she faced before the latest ICC development. Tina has been bombarded with a flood of hate and harmful messages not only in comments sections, but even on her private messages. 

“Hindi na sila fake accounts, so parang minsan may feeling ako na kapag lalabas ako sa community, baka ma-recognize na ako,” she told Rappler on Tuesday, March 18. “I feel unsafe knowing that they might be as violent in person katulad ng kung gaano sila ka-violent sa comments at sa pagpo-post.” 

(They are no longer fake accounts, so sometimes I feel like if I go out in the community, I might be recognized. I feel unsafe knowing that they might be just as violent in person as they are in the comments and in their posts.) 

Rappler saw messages sent to Tina on Facebook, many of which were from legitimate accounts. One said that drug addicts should be beheaded instead of being kept alive, while another accused Tina of being an addict herself.

Receiving these threats directly in her inbox was an entirely new experience for Tina. It was also the first time she witnessed manipulated posts about her and her brother circulating on social media. One of these posts has reached a million views on Facebook.

In response, Tina has temporarily refused media interviews and has stopped making public statements on the matter.

The onslaught of hate messages goes hand-in-hand with efforts by the former president’s network to paint him as the real victim, according to analysis by data forensics firm The Nerve.

More trauma

For many of Duterte’s supporters, Bridgette’s* son is not a victim. After her son’s death in 2017, she has endured taunts from people who cheered when Duterte ordered the killings from the presidential pulpit. In the past seven years, Bridgette has spoken in various capacities both inside and outside the Philippines, calling for justice and for Duterte to be held accountable. 

Duterte’s arrest brought in more trauma to Bridgette and her family, who have advised her to lie low in the meantime — in the face of constant harassment. 

On Facebook, Bridgette received several hate messages, many of which attack her for seeking justice for her son’s death. Some accuse her of being a neglectful mother, blaming her for what happened to her child. Others go as far as mocking her grief, ridiculing her appearance, and implying that she deserves what happened. 

Several comments outright threaten her that she might be targeted by Duterte supporters for speaking out. 

“Nakakadurog ng puso kaya ang sarap patulan pero bahala na sila sa buhay nila,” she said. “Ilang taon ko hinihintay itong pagkakataon na ito, na maaresto si Duterte, tapos ganito sila.” 

(It’s heartbreaking, so it’s tempting to respond, but I’ll just let them be. I’ve waited years for this momen — for Duterte to be arrested — and now this is how they react.)

The messages, filled with insults and malicious intent, reflect the continued hostility faced by families seeking accountability for the drug war killings. These experiences reflect what they have endured since Duterte enabled the slaughter in 2016. Many families had to leave the neighborhoods they grew up in to evade retaliation all while still mourning the loss of their loved ones. 

A representative of a group of drug war victims’ families told Rappler that many widows and mothers left behind are now struggling with revictimization due to the recent relentless online threats and harassment.

As a result, many have chosen to step back from public interviews, not only to process their trauma, but also to regain the strength needed to continue their fight for justice.

Helping families of drug war victims

According to Article 70 of the Rome Statute, the legal document of the ICC, “retaliating against a witness for giving testimony…” is considered “offenses against the administration of justice.” The ICC also provides protective measures for witnesses, those who appear before the court and “other persons at risk on account of testimony given by a witness.” 

Lawyer Jonnah Morado said families who may be at the receiving end of threats can use the law to hold those responsible accountable, especially if these Facebook accounts can be directly linked to a legitimate person. If the attacks are sexual in nature, they can reach out to the Women and Children’s Desk of the Philippine National Police.

Morado is the human rights program manager at the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS), a group of lawyers that has assisted families of drug war victims in documenting their experiences. IDEALS submitted at least 740 documentations before the ICC.

She told Rappler that they have security protocols in place for their own clients and also provided security training to their partner organizations, such as Alyansa Para Sa Karapatang Pantao.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) previously called for critical support for those left behind as they continue to fight for justice since Duterte’s arrest is just the beginning of a long process. In a statement released following the latest ICC development, the national human rights institution said that “creating a safe and secure environment is a crucial step towards breaking the culture of fear and silence, ultimately empowering more families and witnesses to pursue justice.”

“It is crucial to continue to ensure their protection and provide an environment where they can freely testify without fear,” it said. – Rappler.com

*Names have been changed for their safety