The arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court on March 11 has triggered a vicious backlash against victims’ families and human rights advocates.
Sheerah Escudero, whose 18-year-old brother was killed in 2017 with his hands bound and head wrapped in tape – a hallmark of Duterte’s brutal anti-drug campaign – now faces relentless online harassment. Her Facebook account floods daily with messages calling her a “liar” and “drug addict,” while some commenters advocate beheading addicts despite her brother’s status as an innocent victim.
Analysts have identified disturbing parallels to the 2016 social media campaign that propelled Duterte to power, which earned the Philippines its reputation as “patient zero” for global disinformation.
Fact-checking coalition Tsek.ph documented over 200 coordinated Facebook accounts spreading identical false narratives – from claims of ICC “kidnapping” to fabricated endorsements using fictional lawyers like Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods. Paid Facebook ads reaching millions promote Duterte as a patriot, many violating Meta’s political advertising policies according to the platform’s ad library.
Human Rights Lawyers Warn of Witness Intimidation
Kristina Conti, an attorney representing drug war victims, warns the online onslaught aims to discredit survivors ahead of Duterte’s historic ICC trial for crimes against humanity. “There’s real risk supporters could go after witnesses to ensure acquittal,” Conti told Reuters. The Stratbase ADR Institute reports 51% of Filipinos believe Duterte must answer for the killings, but pro-Duterte narratives falsely claim widespread public opposition to the arrest, including fabricated quotes attributed to Donald Trump about imposing tariffs unless Duterte is freed.
From Digital Attacks to Real-World Fears
The harassment extends beyond screens. Human Rights Watch researcher Carlos Conde, targeted since 2016, now battles renewed attacks by creating educational TikTok videos about the ICC case.
Escudero takes security precautions like using pseudonyms for ride-hailing services, fearing the online vitriol could escalate into physical violence. “This is the time to stand against fake news,” she insists, vowing to continue her quest for justice despite threats.
How Tech Companies and the Government are Responding to Victims Harassment
While Meta and TikTok claim to remove policy-violating content, hundreds of deceptive ads slip through review systems. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro says the Marcos administration is working with platforms to combat disinformation, but victims’ advocates argue more urgent action is needed as the ICC prepares for Asia’s first trial of a former head of state. As Duterte’s daughter and current Vice President Sara Duterte rallies support in The Hague, the digital battleground threatens to overshadow courtroom proceedings – leaving families like Escudero’s to fight for truth amid an unrelenting storm of lies.
