Families of Drug War Victims Demand Action Against Online Harassment

Families of Philippine drug war victims are urging an investigation into coordinated online harassment targeting them after Duterte’s arrest. The families, including Sheerah Escudero, face intense harassment and misinformation, calling for legal action against their harassers. Their advocates are seeking assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation to uncover the identities of those responsible.

Families of victims from the Philippine drug war are advocating for an investigation into a coordinated online harassment campaign against them. They have called on law enforcement to identify the individuals behind these attacks to facilitate legal action. Among the affected is Sheerah Escudero, whose brother was brutally murdered in 2017, and she has faced intense cyber harassment since the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11, as he awaits trial in the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Katherine Panguban from the National Union of People’s Lawyers, representing Escudero and other victims, highlighted the severe online abuse families endure. They have been labeled as liars, paid advocates, and fake victims. Escudero disclosed that her social media accounts received an influx of derogatory comments questioning her character and motives for seeking justice for her brother.

In addition to Escudero, human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, who also represents drug war victims, pointed out tactics employed to undermine the credibility of these families. She and other advocates have urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to track down the online aggressors and dismantle the misinformation spread on social networks. Panguban expressed hopes that the NBI could assist in identifying those responsible so that legal steps could be initiated.

The online harassment is part of a broader phenomenon, with supporters of Duterte disseminating false narratives and misinformation, claiming, for instance, that his arrest is a form of “kidnapping.” Reports indicate that paid advertisements on Facebook have also surfaced promoting Duterte’s image. This comes amid allegations against him for crimes against humanity due to the fatalities resulting from his anti-drug enforcement measures during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

The families of Philippine drug war victims are courageously confronting organized online harassment and are advocating for investigations into these cyberattacks. It is crucial for legal measures to be taken against those orchestrating such attacks to restore justice for the victims. The situation remains precarious, with misinformation campaigns continuing to challenge the credibility of those seeking accountability in the aftermath of Duterte’s administration.

Original Source: www.usnews.com