Drug war victims' kin decry more bullying, harassment amid Duterte ICC hearing

HAGUE, Netherlands — Several families of the drug war victims have reported increased bullying and harassment during their stay here in The Hague, Netherlands for the confirmation of charges hearing of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

One of those allegedly targeted was Sheera Escudero, whose brother Ephraim was killed during Duterte's anti-drug campaign. Escudero said manipulated photos of her brother have circulated on social media, with false claims questioning his identity and death.

"Sila pong nagsasabi na hindi ko kapatid si Ephraim, sila rin po 'yung nagma-manipulate ng photo. Dumami nga po 'yung naging kapatid ko. Isa lang po 'yung kapatid ko, his name is Ephraim and he's two years younger than me," Sheera said.

(Those who have been saying that Ephraim is not my brother are the same ones who manipulate photos. In fact, I've gained more siblings lately. But I only have one sibling, his name is Ephraim and he's two years younger than me.)

"Bully us, harass us, threaten us, it won't change that Duterte is still in jail and the decision will be up to the judges. Hindi po kami (Not us)," she added.

The advocacy group Duterte Panagutin Europe said it plans to file legal charges against those responsible for the alleged attacks, both in the Netherlands and in the Philippines, citing violations of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Netherlands' Algemene Verordening Gegevensbescherming (AVG). 

READ — DAY IN COURT: ICC Hearings on the Charges vs. Duterte

The group said it is consulting Dutch lawyers, exploring cyberbullying cases under the Philippines' Cybercrime Prevention Act, preparing police reports, and submitting takedown requests to Meta.

"We appeal to the good nature of our fellow countrymen to please respect their right to privacy. We ask you to cease the relentless targeting of the victims. They have suffered enough. And as supporters of the victims, we will hold the line," the group said during a press briefing.

ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti had warned the kin of drug war victims to prepare for online attacks as the legal proceedings against Duterte progresses.

'Luxury' bags

According to the group, harassment intensified over the past several days. On February 22, members of the victims' contingent were heckled by Duterte supporters who called them "supporters of drug addicts."

They were allegedly filmed without consent and subjected to slanderous remarks on social media. On February 24, Escudero and Llore Pasco were allegedly filmed while in transit without permission, with the footage later used to fuel derogatory remarks from coordinated troll accounts.

GMA Integrated News has requested comment from organizers of the Duterte supporters at the ICC regarding the allegations of harassment and bullying, but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

This week, another fake image circulated online showing victims allegedly carrying luxury bags. GMA Integrated News was later able to document them with their actual bags, which they said were hardly lavish items.

Llore Pasco (left), Sheerah Escudero (center), and Rise Up coordinator Rubilyn Litao (right) show their bags, saying they are aware that the fake image showing them carrying luxury brand bags has gone viral. Pasco told GMA Integrated News that she was not aware of the such brands until the altered photo circulated on social media. JAY-VEE MARASIGAN PANGAN

Despite the alleged harassment, Pasco—whose two sons were killed during the drug war—said she remains hopeful that the case against Duterte would move forward.

"Sana mapag-aralan at tingnan mabuti ang mga argumento. Ito na ang umpisa—kahit hindi pa kami lubusang makalaya, unti-unti kaming makakalaya at kikilalanin na kami ang tunay na biktima, hindi si Duterte. Siya ang nakakulong, pero kami ang totoong biktima,” she said.

(Hopefully the arguments will be studied closely. This is the start, even if we are not yet truly free, slowly but surely, we will soon be free. We will be recognized as the true victims, not Duterte. He is detained, but we are the true victims.)

She added that the families have endured years of stigma and abuse.

"Kami ang nakaranas ng panlalait, pambu-bully, at sinabihang 'they deserve to die.' Ito (ICC proceedings) na ang umpisa, at sana magtuloy-tuloy na," she added.

(We have been mocked, bullied, and told that "they deserve to die." The ICC proceedings are the start, hopefully these continue moving forward.)

For the victims' families, the proceedings in The Hague represent not only a legal battle, but an ongoing struggle to be heard—and protected—amid alleged persistent attempts to discredit their suffering. — VDV, GMA Integrated News