Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS) is a name adopted by political

extremists Extremism is "the quality or state of being extreme" or "the advocacy of extreme measures or views". The term is primarily used in a political or religious sense to refer to an ideology that is considered (by the speaker or by some implied shar ...

who support the 16th

president of the Philippines The president of the Philippines ( fil, Pangulo ng Pilipinas, sometimes referred to as ''Presidente ng Pilipinas'') is the head of state, head of government and chief executive of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of t ...

, Rodrigo Duterte, whom they defend as a necessary

strongman In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or similar circus performers who performed feats of strength. More recently, strength athletics, also known as strongman competitions, have grown in popularity. Thes ...

, to refer to themselves.Schmachtenberger, D. (2019, December 19). ''War on Sensemaking II''. Rebel Wisdom. https://www.rebelwisdom.co.uk/12-film-content/sensemaking-series/608-war-on-sensemaking-ii-daniel-schmachtenberger The term was popularized during the

2016 presidential election This national electoral calendar for 2016 lists the national/ federal elections held in 2016 in all sovereign states and their dependent territories. By-elections are excluded, though national referendums are included. January *7 January: Kiri ...

s and has since been used to refer to the most unquestioning (i.e., the diehards) among Duterte's loyalists, who wear it as a badge of honor and pride. The term commonly refers to a group of people (including

netizen The term netizen is a portmanteau of the English words ''internet'' and ''citizen'', as in a "citizen of the net" or "net citizen". It describes a person actively involved in online communities or the Internet in general.

s) engaging in internet trolling and disruptive behaviour online to defend Duterte. Its initialism, DDS, was taken directly from the

Davao Death Squad The Davao Death Squad (DDS) is a vigilante group in Davao City, Philippines. The group is alleged to have conducted summary executions of street children and individuals suspected of petty crimes and drug dealing. It has been estimated that th ...

—a

vigilante group Vigilantism () is the act of preventing, investigating and punishing perceived offenses and crimes without legal authority. A vigilante (from Spanish, Italian and Portuguese “vigilante”, which means "sentinel" or "watcher") is a person who ...

that had existed in

Davao City Davao City, officially the City of Davao ( ceb, Dakbayan sa Dabaw; ), is a first class highly urbanized city in the Davao Region, Philippines. The city has a total land area of , making it the largest city in the Philippines in terms of lan ...

during Duterte's term as

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...

Ideology

As their self-appellation suggests, the DDS are identified by their unwavering loyalty to Duterte and arcosrather than alignment to any particular political-economic ideology.Contreras, A. P. (2021, January 19). The deadly outcome of free hate speech. ''

Manila Times ''The Manila Times'' is the oldest extant English-language newspaper in the Philippines. It is published daily by The Manila Times Publishing Corp. (formerly La Vanguardia Publishing Corporation) with editorial and administrative offices at 2/F ...

''. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/01/19/opinion/columnists/topanalysis/the-deadly-outcome-of-free-hate-speech/829388/ The DDS mirror Duterte's policy stances and shifts, even when such shifts contradict his self-identification as a socialist and membership in a

democratic socialist Democratic socialism is a left-wing political philosophy that supports political democracy and some form of a socially owned economy, with a particular emphasis on economic democracy, workplace democracy, and workers' self-management within ...

party,

PDP–Laban Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (), abbreviated as PDP–Laban, is a democratic socialist political party in the Philippines founded in 1982. It was part of the country's ruling party alliance from 1986 to 1992 under the administrat ...

. Accordingly, observers have described the DDS as a

right-wing populist Right-wing populism, also called national populism and right-wing nationalism, is a political ideology that combines right-wing politics and populist rhetoric and themes. Its rhetoric employs anti- elitist sentiments, opposition to the Establ ...

or even far-right phenomenon the existence of which preserves the ''status quo''. Such an assertion has been demonstrated by the expansion in recent years of the historical and religiously informed cultural hostility toward

left-wing politics Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy. Left-wing politics typically involve a concern for those in soc ...

in the country as the Philippines has been described as the most right-wing country in the world, Palatino, R. (2017, May 2). ''Is the Philippines' Duterte really a leftist?''

The Diplomat ''The Diplomat'' is an international online news magazine covering politics, society, and culture in the Indo-Pacific region. It is based in Washington, D.C. It was originally an Australian bi-monthly print magazine, founded by Minh Bui Jone ...

. https://thediplomat.com/2017/05/is-the-philippines-duterte-really-a-leftist/Lalu, G. P. (2021, January 19). UP students poke fun at DND's claims campuses are communist recruitment centers. ''

Philippine Daily Inquirer The ''Philippine Daily Inquirer'' (''PDI''), or simply the ''Inquirer'', is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines. Founded in 1985, it is often regarded as the Philippines' newspaper of record. The newspaper is the most awarded br ...

''. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1385865/up-students-poke-fun-at-dnds-claims-that-campuses-are-communist-recruitment-grounds which had been previously reserved for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) but which had during Duterte's presidency begun to include national-democratic,

social-liberal Social liberalism (german: Sozialliberalismus, es, socioliberalismo, nl, Sociaalliberalisme), also known as new liberalism in the United Kingdom, modern liberalism, or simply liberalism in the contemporary United States, left-liberalism ...

and even

centrist Centrism is a political outlook or position involving acceptance or support of a balance of social equality and a degree of social hierarchy while opposing political changes that would result in a significant shift of society strongly to Left-w ...

organizations such as the

Makabayan Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan; ) is a coalition of twelve party-lists in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. It was founded on April 16, 2009. The founding assembly was held at UP Theatre, Diliman, Quezon City. Party-l ...

Akbayan The Akbayan Citizens' Action Party, better known as Akbayan (), is a democratic socialist and progressive political party in the Philippines. Akbayan is noted as a leading member of the progressive movement in the Philippines, having been forme ...

and

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

parties, respectively. In common with Duterte's original support base outside

Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...

,Lorenzana, L. M. C. (2021, February 10). Duterte's time running out—monumental failures. ''

''. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/02/10/opinion/columnists/dutertes-time-running-out-monumental-failures/838741/ the DDS had been enthusiastic about the subsequently derailed transition to a federal form of government through

constitutional reform A constitutional amendment is a modification of the constitution of a polity, organization or other type of entity. Amendments are often interwoven into the relevant sections of an existing constitution, directly altering the text. Conversely, ...

. Some within the DDS, disillusioned by both the social doctrines of the Catholic Church and the sanctimoniousness of the

professional–managerial class The term professional–managerial class (PMC) refers to a social class within capitalism that, by controlling production processes through occupying a superior management position, is neither proletarian nor bourgeoisie. Conceived as "The New Cl ...

(PMC), may have also stood behind left-leaning causes such as the redefinition of

civil marriage A civil marriage is a marriage performed, recorded, and recognized by a government official. Such a marriage may be performed by a religious body and recognized by the state, or it may be entirely secular. History Every country maintaining a pop ...

, which Duterte had also supported but has since backtracked on.Reginio, M. K. (n.d.). ''Group says Duterte's LGBT promises "empty"''. Kodao Productions. https://kodao.org/group-says-dutertes-lgbt-promises-empty/ The DDS have also mirrored calls made by some core supporters for the installation of a revolutionary government with Duterte as

leader Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets vi ...

. Such calls, however, have been motivated less by a willingness to pursue systemic transformation than by a desire for greater participation in the '' status quo''.

Behavior

The DDS are distinguished by their uninhibited use of rabid and vitriolic speech, which mirrors Duterte's own.Hegina, A. J. (2016, April 18). Analyst: PH should fear "loose cannon" Duterte. ''

''. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/780101/analyst-ph-should-fear-loose-cannon-duterteEscalona, K. A. (2018, July 19). ''Duterte's war on tongues''. New Mandala. https://www.newmandala.org/dutertes-war-tongues/ They respond to the slightest criticism of Duterte with accusations of

bias Bias is a disproportionate weight ''in favor of'' or ''against'' an idea or thing, usually in a way that is closed-minded, prejudicial, or unfair. Biases can be innate or learned. People may develop biases for or against an individual, a group ...

, shilling, wokescolding, CPP membership or sympathizing with the

New People's Army The New People's Army ( fil, Bagong Hukbong Bayan), abbreviated NPA or BHB, is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), based primarily in the Philippine countryside. It acts as the CPP's principal organization, aim ...

(NPA), notwithstanding Duterte's own tactical dealings with the

National Democratic Front of the Philippines The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) ( Filipino: ''Pambansang Demokratikong Hanay ng Pilipinas (PDHP)'') is a coalition of revolutionary social and economic justice organizations, agricultural unions, trade unions, indigenous ...

(NDFP) during his mayorship of Davao. The DDS usually engage in online bullying and harassment against all activists, as well as the

Otso Diretso Otso Diretso ( ), initially called the Oposisyon Koalisyon () was an electoral alliance formed to field candidates for the 2019 Philippine general election, in opposition to President Rodrigo Duterte. Otso Diretso fielded eight candidates (''otso' ...

electoral alliance An electoral alliance (also known as a bipartisan electoral agreement, electoral pact, electoral agreement, electoral coalition or electoral bloc) is an association of political parties or individuals that exists solely to stand in elections. E ...

Vice President A vice president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vice president is on ...

Leni Robredo Maria Leonor "Leni" Gerona Robredo (; born Maria Leonor Santo Tomas Gerona; April 23, 1965) is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 14th vice president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. She was the wife of the late Jesse ...

, and even fellow Dutertists suspected of disloyalty, often by issuing threats or tagging them implicitly for punishment. ''

Dilawan Liberal elite, also referred to as the metropolitan elite or progressive elite, is a stereotype In social psychology, a stereotype is a generalized belief about a particular category of people. It is an expectation that people might have ...

'' and ''

pulahan The Pulahan (literally "those wearing red" in Cebuano; es, pulajanes), also known as dios-dios, were the members of a religious revival of Philippine beliefs that developed in the Visayas prior to the Philippine Revolution. At its peak, it ...

''Pamalakaya. (2020, May 31). '' Anti-terrorism bill intends the people to be a "flock of sheep" —groups''. https://angpamalakaya.org/2020/05/31/anti-terrorism-bill-intends-the-people-to-be-a-flock-of-sheep-groups/ are two of the slurs most frequently employed to shut down or

gaslight Gas lighting is the production of artificial light from combustion of a gaseous fuel, such as hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, propane, butane, acetylene, ethylene, coal gas (town gas) or natural gas. The light is produced either direct ...

those marked for harassment. The DDS, despite Duterte's claims to being a socialist, have also participated in amplified smear campaigns directed against organizers of and contributors to

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickly ...

mutual-aid efforts.Terraloza, V. E. (2021, April 20). PNP 'profiling' of community pantry organizers slammed. ''

Manila Bulletin The ''Manila Bulletin'' (), (also known as the ''Bulletin'' and previously known as the ''Manila Daily Bulletin'' from 1906 to September 23, 1972, and the ''Bulletin Today'' from November 22, 1972, to March 10, 1986) is the Philippines' largest ...

''. https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/20/pnp-profiling-of-community-pantry-organizers-slammed/Del Mundo, R. (2021, April 21). '' Mutual aid, community pantries bring out the best in

Filipinos Filipinos ( tl, Mga Pilipino) are the people who are citizens of or native to the Philippines. The majority of Filipinos today come from various Austronesian ethnolinguistic groups, all typically speaking either Filipino, English and/or othe ...

and the worst in Duterte's inhumane regime''. Philippine Revolution Web Central. https://cpp.ph/statements/mutual-aid-community-pantries-bring-out-the-best-in-filipinos-and-the-worst-in-dutertes-inhumane-regime/ It is for these reasons that the DDS are collectively considered even by otherwise sympathetic analysts as a successful hate group. Long before the DDS' ascent to national prominence,Clapano, J. R. (2012, July 14). Groups spearheading black propaganda to smear

Binay Binay is a surname. Notable people with the surname include the members of the influential Binay Family of Makati: * Abigail Binay (born 1975), Filipino politician and current mayor of Makati *Elenita Binay (born 1943), Filipino politician and wif ...

's image. ''

Philippine Star ''The Philippine Star'' (self-styled ''The Philippine STAR'') is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines and the flagship brand of the Philstar Media Group. First published on July 28, 1986, by veteran journalists Betty Go-Belmonte, ...

''. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/07/14/827669/groups-spearheading-black-propaganda-smear-binays-imageCabañes, J. V. A., & Cornelio, J. S. (2017)
The rise of trolls in the Philippines (and what we can do about it)
In N. Curato (Ed.), ''A Duterte reader: Critical essays on the early presidency of Rodrigo Duterte'' (pp. 233–252).

Ateneo de Manila University Press The Ateneo de Manila University Press is a university press and the official publishing house of Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( f ...

. however, certain PMC actors themselves had allegedly orchestrated smear campaigns, known locally as "black propaganda", through

SMS Short Message/Messaging Service, commonly abbreviated as SMS, is a text messaging service component of most telephone, Internet and mobile device systems. It uses standardized communication protocols that let mobile devices exchange short text ...

and other means against disfavored politicians and unapproved-of election candidates.Herrera, C. F. (2016, March 18). Drilón, AMLC,

Inquirer Inquirer or The Inquirer may refer to: *''The Inquirer'', a British technology news website * ''The Inquirer'' (Liberia), a Liberian newspaper * ''The Inquirer'' (Perth) a newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia, between 1840 and 1855 *''T ...

tagged in "conspiracy". ''

Manila Standard The ''Manila Standard'' is a broadsheet newspaper in the Philippines. , it is owned by the Romualdez family. The Romualdezes, through incumbent speaker of the House Martin Romualdez, also own Journal Publications, Inc., the owner of tabloid p ...

''. https://www.manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/202003/drilon-amlc-inquirer-tagged-in-conspiracy-.htmlMagno, A. (2015, October 26). Smear. ''

''. https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/10/26/1515264/smear Such derision has been described as a desire on the part of members of the PMC to "want to humiliate their adversaries by attributing to them a desperate lack of intelligence, empathy, and virtue".Liu, C. (2021). ''Virtue hoarders: The Case against the Professional Managerial Class''.

University of Minnesota The University of Minnesota, formally the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, (UMN Twin Cities, the U of M, or Minnesota) is a public land-grant research university in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. ...

Organizational representation

Several organizations and social-media communities bear the DDS initialism as a way of signifying unapologetic allegiance to Duterte. Some of these are the Duterte Youth, Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Sanduguan (PDDS) and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). These organizations claim to represent sectors of Philippine society marginalized by those who had taken power through the first EDSA Revolution and betrayed by those behind the second.Magsalin, S. (2020, March 31). ''Towards an anarchism in the Philippine archipelago''. Southeast Asian Anarchist Library. https://sea.theanarchistlibrary.org/library/simoun-magsalin-towards-an-anarchism-in-the-philippine-archipelago-en

Global context

The DDS is part of an ascendant

global Global means of or referring to a globe and may also refer to: Entertainment * ''Global'' (Paul van Dyk album), 2003 * ''Global'' (Bunji Garlin album), 2007 * ''Global'' (Humanoid album), 1989 * ''Global'' (Todd Rundgren album), 2015 * Bruno ...

far right; indeed, members find affinity with

movements across the globe and their respective leaders. Fraser, N. (2017, January 2). The end of progressive neoliberalism. ''

Dissent Dissent is an opinion, philosophy or sentiment of non-agreement or opposition to a prevailing idea or policy enforced under the authority of a government, political party or other entity or individual. A dissenting person may be referred to as ...

''. https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/progressive-neoliberalism-reactionary-populism-nancy-fraser In the academic and popular discourse, parallels had been drawn between the DDS and other strongman populist movements such as

Erdoğanism Erdoğanism or Tayyipism ( tr, Erdoğancılık or ) refers to the political ideals and agenda of Turkish President and former Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who became Prime Minister in 2003 and served until his election to the Presidency ...

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in ...

, Bolsonarism in

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

and

Trumpism Trumpism is a term for the political ideologies, social emotions, style of governance, political movement, and set of mechanisms for acquiring and keeping control of power associated with Donald Trump and his political base. '' Trumpists ...

in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

, among many others, notwithstanding the uniqueness of the conditions that give rise to and, in turn, motivate each of them. For instance, it has been demonstrated that popular support for Duterte has been driven to a significant extent by expatriate workers resentful of having to support themselves and their families from abroad, a motivating factor only partially shared by

workers The workforce or labour force is a concept referring to the pool of human beings either in employment or in unemployment. It is generally used to describe those working for a single company or industry, but can also apply to a geographic reg ...

core countries In world systems theory, the core countries are the industrialized capitalist or imperialist countries, which depend on appropriation from peripheral countries and semi-peripheral countries. Core countries control and benefit from the global ma ...

Notes

References