Families of Philippine Drug War Victims Demand Action Against Online Harassment

Families of victims from the Philippine drug war are facing a coordinated online harassment campaign. They are urging law enforcement to investigate and identify those behind the attacks following the arrest of former President Duterte. Key advocates, including Sheerah Escudero and Katherine Panguban, are calling for accountability and legal recourse against the perpetrators.

Families of victims of the Philippine drug war are demanding investigations into a recent wave of online harassment that they attribute to a coordinated campaign. They seek assistance from law enforcement to uncover the identities of those responsible, in order to facilitate legal proceedings against them. Notably, Sheerah Escudero, whose brother’s remains were found in 2017, has been subjected to significant online abuse since the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11, 2023, as he awaits trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Escudero has reported receiving numerous derogatory messages through social media, labeling her as a drug addict and alleging she is a paid actor in the movement for justice for victims. Katherine Panguban, a representative from the National Union of People’s Lawyers, emphasized the harassment experienced by families, stating they have been branded as liars and fake victims. Rights advocate Kristina Conti, who has also faced online attacks, urged for an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation to track down those behind these social media assaults.

Conti observed that these online tactics are designed to undermine the credibility of families seeking justice for their deceased loved ones. Panguban remarked on the hope that the NBI could help reveal the perpetrators, enabling the families to pursue legal recourse. In addition to the harassment, there has been a surge in misleading information online, with Duterte’s supporters portraying his arrest as akin to kidnapping and funding advertisements supporting his narrative on social media.

Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, faces serious accusations of crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign that has led to numerous fatalities. At 80 years old, he stands on the brink of becoming the first former Asian head of state to be tried in The Hague, stating that he accepts full responsibility for the operations carried out during his administration’s controversial anti-drug efforts.

The families of Philippine drug war victims are advocating for investigations into a significant wave of online harassment targeting them. With the arrest of former President Duterte, these families have become victims of coordinated attacks aimed at discrediting their pursuit for justice. They are appealing for the National Bureau of Investigation’s assistance in identifying the perpetrators of these online offenses to pursue appropriate legal action against them. This situation underscores the ongoing struggle for accountability and truth in the wake of Duterte’s controversial leadership.

Original Source: www.usnews.com