Playing the victim card

In the battle for public opinion especially in politics, part of the arsenal of astute politicians and their handlers is to “play the victim card”. In the Philippines, we have seen how government officials/politicians suddenly get sick, get medical certificates, or request for hospital detention when summoned or arrest is imminent. Sudden rise in blood pressure, blood sugar, and excessive stress are cited as reasons, as if these are not pre-existing conditions of most Filipinos. Some even wear neck braces and use wheelchairs.

Playing the victim card (PTVC) is so well used in human behavior that it is now in Google and Wikipedia. Artificial Intelligence defines playing the victim as portraying one-self as wronged and unfairly treated, often to gain sympathy, avoid responsibility, or manipulate others, essentially exaggerating or fabricating victimhood. Google further explains that it involves presenting oneself as a victim, even when not truly wronged, to achieve a specific outcome or avoid accountability.

In the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest of Duterte, the initial pro-Duterte narrative and lingering now, is to play the victim card. In the videos of the arrest in the airport and in Camp Villamor, Bong Go and other supporters expressed explicit concern about Duterte’s health and his advanced age. There were also allegations of lack medical attention/facilities, lack of food, and mistreatment of the family. These were all refuted and the videos contradicted these assertions. It was a policewoman who was hurt by Duterte’s wife. The airport arrest, the departure by private jet to the Netherlands, and his arrival treatment in The Hague were all pleasant as covered by the media and shown in the videos.

VP Sara even thanked the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands for their services, and Duterte was examined in a hospital and declared physically and mentally fit before proceeding to the ICC detention facilities. The pictures of the ICC detention facilities are luxurious by prison standards, with air-conditioned/heated private rooms/bathrooms and sports facilities. Access to cellphones, computers, and television are allowed. Visitation rights and lawyers conferences are also allowed with prior approvals. Given all the realities of the arrest events up to the detention in the ICC facilities, PTVC did not and will not work.

The more substantive reasons why PTVC will not work, is the gravity and the evidence of the human rights violations of Duterte. The charges are well documented and there are still living witnesses of the families of the victims, and even of the direct perpetrators like Lascañas and Matobato, who has and will testify against Duterte. On top of these, Duterte publicly admitted in many fora that he had ordered the EJKs and will take responsibility for them. Duterte’s aggressive character and verbal abuses doesn’t make him look like a victim.

The Duterte defense strategists/tacticians have now downplayed the victim ploy/PTVC and shifted to the legality/propriety of the arrest with petitions to the Philippine Supreme Court and to the ICC. They have also mounted a massive public opinion propaganda campaign in social media on what he has done during his presidency. Social media is their main vehicle as the main media carries both the fake news and the validated news, and the BBM administration has been adept and quick in replying to all of the fake news and troll posts.

There was already an initial hearing in the ICC last week to establish identity, physical and mental status of the accused, lay down trial procedures/schedules. The next hearing is on September this year to have enough time for the prosecution and defense teams to prepare. There is no way that the final outcome can be predicted, but as the proceedings will be internationally watched and seen, the judicial process and the fairness of the proceedings will be well appreciated. Truth and justice will prevail.