Mother of EJK victims unbowed amid threats, harassment

A mother who lost two children in the drug war and a member of Rise Up for Life and Rights has vowed to continue speaking out despite rising threats and harassment following former President Rodrigo Duterte's detention at The Hague over crimes against humanity charges.

During a press conference organized by the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines on Tuesday, "Lorie" revealed that she had experienced online harassment due to her pursuit of justice.

“Sa kasalukuyan ay may mga kumakalat na isang post na napakasama ng mga sinasabi [tungkol sa amin ng mga anak ko]. Katunayan po, isang gabi na hindi ako makatulog sa pagkabahala. Bakit nila ginagawa sa akin? Nakakalungkot pa nga po ay mga kadugo ko pa nagsasalita sa aking mga masasama. Para sa aming mga biktima, sobra kaming nahihirapan, mabigat sa aming pakiramdam,” she shared.

(Currently, there is a viral post spreading hateful remarks about me and my children. One night, I couldn't sleep out of worry. Why are they doing this to me? It's even sadder that some of these hurtful comments are coming from my relatives. For us victims, this is incredibly painful and heavy on our hearts.)

Despite this, Lorie remained committed to attending meetings and speaking out. She added that other relatives of drug war victims had also faced similar threats, heightening their safety concerns.

“Kaming mga nanay ng Rise Up na nagsasalita ay may mga kapareha ding banta, may mga kaparehang post kaya sobra po kaming nababahala… Kahit mabigat sa pakiramdam ay patuloy pa rin ako sa laban kasi kung di ako lalaban, sino pa? Talo ako, talo kami… Mga biktima na nga kami, binibiktima pa kami ulit,” she stressed.

(We mothers in Rise Up who are vocal are also experiencing these threats and hurtful posts. Despite how heavy it feels, I will continue the fight because if I don’t, who will? We are already victims, yet we are being victimized again.) 

First step

Rise Up members welcomed Duterte's arrest, considering it the first step toward justice. Lorie emphasized that the International Criminal Court procedures had afforded Duterte due process—a right denied to the victims of extrajudicial killings.

“Si Duterte ay inaresto ng maayos. Binigyan siya ng due process, binasahan siya ng karapatan at binigay sa kaniya. Kami, hindi namin na-enjoy yung ganoong karapatan at ganoong pagiimbestiga. Yun ang pinagkait sa biktima, yung due process na na-enjoy ni Duterte. Napaka-special niya kung tutuusin sa The Hague. Pero panay parin reklamo yung kampo niya,” she noted.

(Duterte was arrested properly. He was given due process, his rights were read and granted. We never received those rights or any meaningful investigation. That was denied to the victims. Duterte is being treated specially at The Hague, yet his camp continues to complain.)

“Ang pronouncement ni Duterte, siya yung biktima. Pero ang totoong biktima ay kaming biktima ng mga pinaslang… Pagaresto kay Duterte ay isang unang hakbang para makamit ng mga biktima ang hustisya. Wine-welcome po namin ang arrest warrant, at na-excite kami at naging masaya dahil nakadetine na siya sa The Hague,” Lorie added.

(Duterte claims to be the victim, but the real victims are those of us who lost loved ones. His arrest is just the first step toward justice. We welcome the arrest warrant and felt excited and happy when we learned he was detained at The Hague.)

Ongoing threats, concerns

While Duterte's legal team is pushing for an interim release and possible return to the Philippines, Lorie said this poses a significant threat to her and other victims seeking justice.

“Ang pag-grant ng interim release kay Duterte at makauwi dito sa Pilipinas ay napakalaking banta ng seguridad sa aming buhay ng mga biktimang lumalaban para sa hustisya sa aming mga kaanak. Hinding-hindi kami papayag... Kaya kaming mga pamilyang biktima ay makikipagtulungan sa pagpapahayag sa pagpapanagot kay Duterte at sa kaniyang heneral, kapulisan, gayundin sa kaniyang pekeng war on drugs,” she asserted.

(Granting Duterte interim release and allowing him to return to the Philippines is a huge threat to our safety and security as victims fighting for justice. We will never agree to this... That’s why we, the victims’ families, will continue to speak out and push for accountability for Duterte, his generals, the police, and his fake war on drugs.) 

Duterte remains detained at The Hague, Netherlands, as he awaits trial for alleged crimes against humanity stemming from the over 6,000 deaths during his war on drugs.

Duterte's legal team has indicated plans to argue for the dismissal of charges and a possible interim release before the next ICC hearing in September 2025. 

Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated that they intend to challenge the case on grounds of "kidnapping" and jurisdictional issues.

“May posibilidad na bago dumating ang Setyembre 23, baka madismiss ang kaso,” Roque said.

(There's a possibility that the case might be dismissed before September 23.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News