Disinformation Network Fuels Pro-Duterte Sentiment After ICC Arrest
Manila, Philippines – A sprawling network of fake social media accounts has been unearthed, actively promoting former President Rodrigo Duterte and denouncing the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the wake of his arrest. This revelation, based on exclusive research shared with Reuters by Israeli tech firm Cyabra, sheds light on a sophisticated digital campaign designed to manipulate public opinion and potentially influence the upcoming Philippine midterm elections.
Cyabra, specializing in identifying fake accounts through artificial intelligence, meticulously analyzed 1,890 X (formerly Twitter) profiles engaged in discussions surrounding Duterte’s ICC arrest. Their findings revealed that approximately one-third of these accounts exhibited characteristics of inauthenticity, collectively responsible for over 7,300 posts garnering more than 11.8 million views. The coordinated dissemination of identical messages, hashtags, and content created a façade of widespread support for Duterte and condemnation of the ICC, successfully shaping the online narrative.
This orchestrated campaign transcends Duterte’s legal predicament. A separate Cyabra study, also reviewed by Reuters, uncovered that up to 45% of online conversations regarding the upcoming Philippine midterm elections are being driven by fake profiles, including sock puppets, bots, and avatars. With over 18,200 seats contested in the 2025 midterms, the potential for manipulation and distortion of public discourse is substantial. The coordinated nature of these activities, marked by synchronized posting patterns and shared narratives, points towards a well-organized influence operation, although Cyabra has refrained from identifying the specific source.
Dan Brahmy, CEO of Cyabra, underscores the pervasive nature of this phenomenon, stating, "These fake networks didn’t just show up, they shaped the conversation. If it’s happening this visibly in the Philippines, it’s naive to think it’s not happening elsewhere too." This alarming trend raises concerns about the integrity of online discourse and the potential for manipulation of public opinion on a global scale.
The Philippines has earned the unfortunate distinction of being labeled "patient zero" for global disinformation, a testing ground for the development and refinement of manipulative tactics such as troll armies and click farms. These tactics, often employed to amplify specific narratives and suppress dissenting voices, pose a significant threat to democratic processes. Experts warn that this pervasive disinformation environment necessitates a concerted effort to enhance media literacy and promote critical thinking among citizens.
Duterte’s arrest stemmed from charges of crimes against humanity filed by the ICC, linked to over 6,200 drug-related deaths reported during his presidency. Following his apprehension, Duterte posted on Facebook, acknowledging responsibility for his actions. While he awaits a confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for September 23rd, the disinformation campaign continues to swirl around him, shaping public perceptions and potentially influencing the political landscape.
Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit, a prominent political analyst based in Manila, emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue: "No society is ready to see through the disinformation, but we need as a nation to fight it." The pervasiveness of fake accounts and coordinated manipulation tactics underscores the need for collective action to safeguard the integrity of online information and protect democratic processes from undue influence. The upcoming midterm elections will be a crucial test of the Philippines’ resilience against the insidious threat of disinformation.