The women’s group Gabriela has sought the help of the campaign team of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to end a cyber campaign against the organization that followed its criticism of the presidential candidate’s joke on the rape of an Australian missionary who died during a hostage crisis in 1989.
Video footage of part of Duterte’s April 12 speech during a rally at the Amoranto stadium, he recalled how he was angered on hearing of Hamill’s multiple rape and then quipped, “Pero napakaganda. Dapat, ang mayor muna ang mauna (But she really was beautiful. The mayor should have been first).”
The joke has earned the tough talking Duterte widespread criticism here and abroad, including from the Australian and American ambassadors, but has apparently done nothing to dampen his popularity.
In an open letter addressed to Duterte’s campaign team, through his spokesman Peter Tiu Lavina, Gabriela vice chair Gert Ranjo-Libang said: “Numerous individuals and groups claiming to be Duterte supporters are waging a cyber campaign to discredit Gabriela and Gabriela Women’s Party. We are now subjected to cyber bullying by spreading malicious and incorrect facts about our organization.”
She also noted that the campaign appeared to be partly “orchestrated because the content and graphics are the same.”
Ranjo-Libang said the bashing has affected their ability to respond to the many requests for assistance from women seeking its help.
In particular, she said the inbox of Gabriela’s Facebook page, “which is meant to receive requests for help, is now flooded with spam messages. This keeps us from immediately responding to people who are expecting our support.”
“These actions of persons and groups who purport to support Mayor Duterte’s candidacy, deny victims who seek our urgent assistance,” she stressed.
The attacks on Gabriela appear to have spiked following the appearance of Valentina Berden, one of the elderly farmers who were arrested and charged over the violent April 1 dispersal of protesters in Kidapawan City, before the Senate committee on justice and human rights.
Source: WRONG TARGET | Gabriela urges Duterte team to help stop bullying after criticism of rape joke