Stop attacking drug war victims' kin, Rody supporters told

Lawyers representing the victims of the war on drugs have urged supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte to stop the attacks and disinformation about the ongoing proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

- By JANVIC MATEO

In a statement, the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) denounced what it described as an "orchestrated campaign of disinformation, harassment and gender-based online violence" targeting the families of drug war victims and other human rights defenders.

"These attacks, driven by Duterte's network of trolls and enablers, aim to silence those seeking justice and obstruct ongoing proceedings before the ICC," the NUPL said.

Specifically, the group cited the attacks against ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti, who has been subjected to a "wave of misogynistic threats and character assassination" following Duterte's arrest last week.

Conti shared messages she received from trolls, including those attacking her character and physical appearance.

"The same online hate is directed at widows, mothers and daughters of drug war victims, attempting to intimidate them into silence. This coordinated effort to weaponize gender-based violence against women in the legal profession and human rights advocacy must end," the NUPL said.

It noted that these attacks reinforce the argument that Duterte must be denied interim release.