Observed discourse around the "war on drugs" in Davao City, specifically a Rappler report on a mother receiving hate messages after losing her sons to the conflict.
"When discourse turns victims into targets, empathy erodes. The pattern of accusing those who suffer is a clear signal of manipulation, not a search for truth."
A recurring tension is the blaming of victims in the "war on drugs" and the use of social media to spread hate and accusations. This demonstrates a deep-seated polarization where empathy is lacking and manipulation is present in public narratives.[1]
- @rapplerdotcom: "A mother, who lost her sons to the so-called “war on drugs” in Davao City, says she has been getting hate messages on social media, accusing her of being involved in illegal drugs." — This post highlights the targeting of victims with hate messages, eroding empathy and signaling manipulation in discourse.