MANILA, March 17 -- An ecumenical human rights group has reported a surge in online harassment against families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims during the previous administration's drug war following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement issued Monday, Rise Up for Life and for Rights said online threats and misinformation have increased in recent days, particularly targeting witnesses and victims' families.

"There has been a sharp spike in hate speech, threats and harassment, especially targeted at women who have been speaking out on the killing of their loved ones. The internet is also again suddenly flooded with misleading and downright false information deliberately designed to drumbeat support or magn...