Manila/The Hague, March 13 – The arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last week on crimes against humanity charges has ignited a firestorm of disinformation, targeting courts in both the Philippines and The Hague. The spread of false information highlights the challenges faced by judicial systems in combating the rapid dissemination of fake news in the digital age.
The controversy began on March 11th, the day Duterte was arrested pursuant to an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. Simultaneously, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a long-time Duterte ally, filed a petition with the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the arrest. This petition, however, was quickly overshadowed by a wave of false reports claiming the SC had already granted the TRO.
These reports, which spread rapidly through social media and other channels, were categorically false. The SC had only confirmed receiving the petition and scheduling a raffle to assign it to a specific justice. Despite this, Duterte's lawyer, Israelito Torreon, along with Raul Lambino and Philip Salvador, visited the SC compound late at night, claiming to verify the unconfirmed reports of a TRO. This visit occurred after the court's official closing hours.
Torreon, in an interview with SMNI, stated they had received news that the TRO had already been issued. This false information fueled protests outside Villamor Air Base, where Duterte was briefly held before his transfer to The Hague. Supporters wrongly believed the purported TRO prevented his extradition.
The Supreme Court swiftly responded to the disinformation campaign. On March 12th, spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting issued a statement explicitly denying the issuance of any TRO in Duterte's favor. The court cited the failure of petitioners to demonstrate a clear right to an immediate TRO after a virtual deliberation on the 94-page petition. To further combat the spread of misinformation, the SC subsequently published its full resolution online.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of judicial processes to disinformation campaigns, particularly in high-profile cases with significant political ramifications. The rapid spread of false information through social media and traditional outlets highlights the urgent need for effective mechanisms to combat fake news and protect the integrity of legal proceedings. The international nature of the case further emphasizes the global reach and impact of such disinformation campaigns.
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Disinformation Campaign Targets ICC and Judges in Duterte Case
The Hague/Manila, March 15 – The arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on crimes against humanity charges has been accompanied by a relentless and multifaceted disinformation campaign targeting not only Philippine courts but also the International Criminal Court (ICC) itself and its personnel. This coordinated effort to undermine the legal proceedings highlights the growing threat of online misinformation in international justice.
The false narratives surrounding Duterte's arrest are numerous and varied, ranging from claims of a warrantless arrest to allegations of forced travel and even the assertion that Duterte is missing. These claims, amplified through social media platforms, have gained traction among Duterte's supporters, creating a climate of distrust and confusion.
One of the most prevalent false claims is that Duterte was arrested without a warrant. This is demonstrably untrue. The ICC executed its warrant through Interpol, and a copy of the warrant was subsequently made public. This easily verifiable fact has not deterred the spread of the false claim.
Another false narrative involves Duterte's former executive secretary, Salvador Medialdea, who accompanied the former president to The Hague. Medialdea claimed he was forced onto the plane without a visa. However, the Philippine embassy in the Netherlands clarified that a 15-day visa was secured for Medialdea upon arrival to facilitate his assistance to Duterte. This correction has done little to quell the spread of the original false claim.
Upon Duterte's arrival in The Hague, Medialdea further alleged that Duterte was missing from the ICC detention center. This claim was promptly refuted by ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah, who confirmed Duterte's presence at the ICC detention center in Scheveningen and stated that he was undergoing medical examinations. The swift rebuttal, however, did not prevent the false claim from circulating widely.
The disinformation campaign has also directly targeted ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan. A video of Khan was selectively edited and shared within the Meta group "Protect Vice President Sara Duterte," presenting his statements out of context to falsely suggest Duterte's acquittal. This manipulated content has been fact-checked and debunked by Rappler as false.
Presiding Judge Iiula Motoc, who heads the pre-trial chamber handling Duterte's case, has also become a target. Her personal Meta and LinkedIn profiles have been inundated with negative comments accusing her of bringing chaos to the Philippines and urging her to return Duterte to the country. While some supportive comments exist, the overwhelming majority of responses focus on Duterte's perceived effectiveness in his drug war and his age.
The attacks on Judge Motoc have included misogynistic comments echoing those previously made by Duterte himself. Furthermore, a photograph of a woman alongside First Lady Liza Marcos was falsely circulated, purporting to depict Judge Motoc and suggesting bias within the ICC chamber. This is demonstrably false; the woman in the photograph is not Judge Motoc, and ICC judges are known for their independence and impartiality. Judge Motoc has no known connection to the Marcos family or the Philippines.
The coordinated and multifaceted nature of this disinformation campaign raises serious concerns about the integrity of international justice processes and the ability of fact-checking efforts to keep pace with the rapid spread of false information. The campaign's success in disseminating false narratives underscores the urgent need for improved strategies to combat online misinformation and protect the impartiality of international legal proceedings.
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Online Harassment of Courts and Victims Fuels Calls for ICC Trial to Proceed
Manila, March 16 – The escalating online harassment campaign targeting Philippine courts, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and victims of the Duterte-era drug war has intensified calls for the ICC trial to proceed unimpeded. Legal experts and ICC representatives argue that the climate of fear, intimidation, and misinformation created by this campaign underscores the need for international oversight to ensure fairness and protect witnesses.
Joel Butuyan, an ICC-accredited lawyer and president of Centerlaw, highlighted the significance of the attacks in a recent interview with Rappler. He stated, "All the more that the ICC trial should push through because there’s a climate of fear, intimidation, misinformation and bullying in the country." This sentiment reflects a growing concern that the domestic legal system is unable to provide a fair and impartial environment for the prosecution of Duterte.
The online harassment extends beyond the Philippine Supreme Court and the ICC. Victims of the drug war are also facing significant online abuse from Duterte's supporters. Kristina Conti, ICC assistant counsel to the victims, described this "bullying" as a key factor supporting the ICC's decision to handle the case internationally. She emphasized that the current climate demonstrates that Duterte and his supporters pose a significant threat to both victims and their legal representatives.
Conti further noted that the persistent narrative portraying alleged drug suspects as deserving of their fate under Duterte's administration suggests a systematic attack—a crucial element in establishing crimes against humanity. She issued a stark warning: "Let me remind also that there’s a fifth case the ICC is hearing—offenses against the administration of justice (article 70, Rome Statute). Be careful those who attack the courts, prosecutors, and/or judges, because it might add to Duterte’s existing cases."
The ICC's warrant for Duterte's arrest, issued by an all-women Pre-Trial Chamber I, explicitly cited Duterte's considerable influence in the Philippines as justification for the arrest. The judges emphasized the need to prevent interference in the investigation, protect witnesses, and ensure Duterte faces trial. The ongoing online harassment directly supports the judges' concerns, demonstrating the potential for intimidation and obstruction of justice within the Philippines.
The combination of online attacks on courts, victims, and ICC personnel strengthens the argument for the ICC's continued involvement. The apparent inability of domestic mechanisms to adequately protect witnesses and ensure a fair trial underscores the critical role of the international tribunal in upholding justice and accountability in this high-profile case. The ongoing harassment campaign serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by international justice systems in the face of sophisticated and politically motivated disinformation campaigns.
Duterte's Arrest: A "Day of Reckoning" Met with Coordinated Online Disinformation Campaign
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Philippine First Lady Launches Scathing Attack on Vice President in Explosive Interview
Manila, April 21 – The ongoing political drama in the Philippines has taken a dramatic turn with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos launching a blistering public attack on Vice President Sara Duterte in a revealing interview with broadcaster Anthony Taberna. The interview, uploaded to YouTube on Friday, April 19th, marks a significant escalation in the simmering tensions between the two powerful women.
The conflict stems from an incident at a January rally in Davao City where former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte's father, accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of drug use. While the exact details are disputed, Liza Marcos claims she saw the Vice President laugh at her father's accusations, a reaction she found deeply offensive.
In the interview, Liza Marcos expressed her outrage, stating, “She crossed the line.” She criticized Sara Duterte for her alleged reaction, emphasizing the Vice President's role within the government and the apparent lack of loyalty to the President. "You are getting suweldo (salary) from the government, you are supposed to be the alter ego," Liza Marcos stated. "That’s not right. That’s entitled politics. You’re in the government. You’re the vice president. Bad shot na ‘yan sa akin (I already have a bone to pick with her), unless she says sorry. She crossed the line.”
The First Lady further highlighted the perceived betrayal, emphasizing the Marcos-Duterte alliance that secured their electoral victory in 2022. She contrasted Sara Duterte's alleged behavior with that of former Vice President Leni Robredo, implying a higher standard of political decorum. “Nasaktan ako, because my husband will do everything to protect you. You ran together, ‘di ba? Sama-sama tayong babangon muli. Pupunta ka sa rally, tatawagan iyong presidente mong bangag, you’re going to laugh. Tama ba ‘yun? Even Leni Robredo never did that,” she added. (I was hurt, because my husband will do everything to protect you. You ran together, right? Our motto was we would rise together. Then you will attend a rally where your president is being called high. Then you’re going to laugh. Is that right? Even Leni never did that.)
The strained relationship between the First Lady and the Vice President has been evident for months, with body language suggesting a significant rift. At a departure ceremony for President Marcos' trip to Vietnam, Liza and Sara notably ignored each other despite being seated together. Both have previously declined to comment on the state of their relationship.
The alliance between the Marcos and Duterte families, instrumental in their electoral success, has proven increasingly fragile. Sara Duterte has clashed with Speaker Martin Romualdez, President Marcos' cousin, over funding requests. President Marcos has also publicly considered rejoining the ICC, which is investigating Duterte's drug war, further straining relations. The former president's accusations of Marcos Jr.'s involvement in drug use, and the subsequent counter-accusations, have added to the escalating tensions.
President Marcos, while publicly defending Sara Duterte, has acknowledged the complicated nature of the relationship, describing it as "complicated" in a recent statement. This public airing of grievances marks a significant turning point in Philippine politics, potentially reshaping the delicate power dynamics within the ruling coalition. The future of the Marcos-Duterte alliance, once seen as unbreakable, now hangs precariously in the balance.