Former Philippines president Duterte's arrest triggers disinformation

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's recent arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has sparked a wave of false information. Many claims suggest that his arrest is "unjust" and violates Philippine sovereignty. However, similar accusations of injustice were made against Duterte during his presidency, especially regarding extrajudicial killings. Two lawyers, Raul Lambino and Salvador Medialdea, have been prominently involved in spreading these falsehoods. Lambino falsely claimed that the Supreme Court had issued a temporary restraining order against Duterte's extradition. Medialdea also falsely claimed that Duterte was not at the ICC detention center. The misinformation has fueled a frenzy of fake news, including altered images and memes that falsely depict large rallies supporting Duterte. Some of these memes feature fictional characters from TV shows, underscoring the gullibility surrounding fake news in the Philippines. The Supreme Court has denied claims about a petition with millions of signatures demanding President Marcos’ resignation, which was inaccurately publicized. In response to the misinformation, the current government has started live discussions to clarify the situation. The National Bureau of Investigation is considering legal action against those spreading false claims, while some legislators have called for sanctions against the two lawyers. Their actions violate several ethical standards set for legal professionals, including making false statements and spreading disinformation online. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines may need to address these issues to maintain the integrity of the legal profession. The spread of fake news poses dangers, especially ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.