Duterte's arrest sparks disinformation against Supreme Court, ICC

The Supreme Court of the Philippines and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are facing disinformation following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. He was arrested last week due to allegations of crimes against humanity related to his controversial drug war. On the same day as Duterte's arrest, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa filed a petition in the Supreme Court requesting a temporary restraining order to stop the arrest. However, false reports quickly circulated, claiming that the Supreme Court had already issued this order, which was not true. Duterte's legal team sought confirmation from the Supreme Court about these claims. The Court clarified that no restraining order had been issued. It later stated that the petition was under review and the request for a TRO had been denied. Disinformation continued to spread on social media, with some accounts posting fabricated documents suggesting the Supreme Court had received petitions demanding President Marcos' resignation, which the Court denied. The Supreme Court announced it would investigate these false reports and take appropriate action against those responsible. Supporters of Duterte began flooding the Supreme Court's social media with both positive and negative comments following the arrest. Initially, they expressed support for Duterte but quickly turned aggressive as the reality of his legal situation set in. The ICC also faced misinformation during the arrest. Claims surfaced that Duterte was arrested without a warrant, which was incorrect. His legal team made further accusations about his treatment and the conditions of his transfer, both of which were refuted by the ICC. As the situation evolves, legal experts warn that the aggressive narrative against the judiciary could complicate Duterte's legal proceedings. Supporters' actions could be seen as attempts to intimidate courts and influence the legal process, especially given their historical context of bullying in the Philippines. Lawyers involved with the case emphasize the need for a fair judicial process, highlighting the impact of fear and misinformation on the trial's integrity. The ICC is concerned about the safety of witnesses and the potential influence Duterte might exert from his position.