Families of Philippine drug war victims fight back

4/4/2025 16:51

Families of Philippine drug war victims who say they have been targeted by a "coordinated" campaign of online harassment urged law enforcers on Friday to investigate the attacks and identify those responsible to help them pursue legal action.



Among them is Sheerah Escudero, whose 18-year-old brother's bloodied body was found in 2017 with hands bound and head wrapped in packaging tape. Like others who have spoken out, she has faced intense harassment online since former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11 and taken to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where he awaits trial.



"The families have been subjected to online bashing and intimidation. They've been called liars, paid hacks and fake victims," said Katherine Panguban of the National Union of People's Lawyers, who is representing Escudero and other victims.



Escudero previously told Reuters her Facebook account had been flooded with comments and direct messages calling her a drug addict and a liar for seeking justice in her brother's case, and accusing her of being paid to malign Duterte.