Supporters of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte gather during a prayer rally, in Manila, on March 15. Photo: Reuters
Philippine authorities are cracking down on misinformation surrounding former president Rodrigo Duterte, but analysts warn that this could backfire by further entrenching his supporters’ beliefs and deepening the country’s political divide.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said this week that it was investigating around 20 vloggers accused of spreading falsehoods online surrounding Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court – including claims that the arrests were warrantless and unlawful, and fabricated statements of support carrying logos of international news publications.