THANKSGIVING. Pictures of so-called extrajudicial killing victims underneath the Duterte administration’s drug battle 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 towards households of drug battle victims following the arrest of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. (PNA photograph by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA, Philippines – An ecumenical human rights group has reported a surge in on-line harassment towards households of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims in the course of the earlier administration’s drug battle following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
In a press release issued Monday, Rise Up for Life and for Rights mentioned on-line threats and misinformation have elevated in latest days, notably concentrating on witnesses and victims’ households.
“There was a pointy spike in hate speech, threats and harassment, particularly focused at girls who’ve been talking out on the killing of their family members. The web can also be once more instantly flooded with deceptive and downright false info intentionally designed to drumbeat help or enlarge help for Duterte,” the assertion learn.
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Day of reckoning comes for Duterte
Duterte, accused of committing crimes towards humanity in connection along with his anti-illegal medication marketing campaign, was arrested on the airport upon his return from Hong Kong on March 11 by means of an arrest warrant issued by the Worldwide Prison Courtroom (ICC).
The warrant was acquired by the Worldwide Prison 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 battle 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’ kinfolk.
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 allows, continues to be a risk 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 may additional endanger victims and witnesses.
“Such unreasonable strong-arm ways 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 known as on the Philippine authorities to help the ICC’s investigation and rejoin the courtroom.
“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 towards Duterte.
“That is very apparent that extra pretend information are lingering perhaps due to the current scenario concerning 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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