MICE Analysis on the Supporters of Duterte

    The MICE Analysis doesn’t need much introduction. In short, it is a CIA-style analysis that examines Money, Ideology, Coercion, and Ego—factors that influence individuals or groups to align with certain agendas. This method is commonly used by the CIA for intelligence assessments.

 

    With the recent arrest of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, the situation has been chaotic, to say the least. His supporters—whether paid bots, useful idiots, or true fanatics—have flooded Facebook with relentless false narratives and propaganda.

 

    This is not a political attack aimed at his supporters but rather a deep dive into their thought processes. At times, their behavior resembles that of a swarm of bees, fanatically devoted to their queen—Rodrigo Duterte.

 

    If you take a closer look at a typical die-hard Duterte (DU30) supporter, you might assume that most of them are uneducated, simplistic, or lack an understanding of geopolitics beyond their immediate knowledge. However, there will always be some educated individuals among his die-hard supporters who are clearly fully indoctrinated.

 

    This wouldn’t be much of an issue if his supporters were open-minded and willing to broaden their perspectives. Unfortunately, many of them already appear foolish in their unwavering devotion.

 

Money

    I don't think DU30 supporters are mostly in it for the money. Sure, some of them may be in desperate situations, but their support isn’t purely driven by financial incentives. Many are deeply devoted to him, willing to protest on his behalf, and, in some cases, would even blindly sacrifice their lives for him—with or without a payout. While there may be behind-the-scenes manipulation, most of the time, their loyalty seems genuine.

 

    Now, those are the supporters who take to the streets to protest their beliefs about him. Online, however, it's a different story. Many of the so-called paid bots receive salaries—either from Duterte himself or from supporters willing to fund such operations. These bots come from various places, including China and, in some cases, India. Additionally, a significant number of locally sourced bots are paid handsomely, either by Duterte himself or by his loyal backers. 

 

Ideology

    If I were to theorize their political leanings, it would be a mix of conservative right with a hint of authoritarian left, which is quite a contradiction. Their ideology is both mixed and confusing at the same time. In fact, I would argue that they don’t have a true ideology—just blind fanaticism toward their idol, DU30.

    They were never really concerned with or aware of identity politics in the past. For example, during DU30’s presidency, they dismissed protests as a leftist activity and even mocked those who participated, claiming that the People Power Revolution of the 1980s was a bizarre liberal-communist plot. Yet, fast forward to today, the same people who made those claims in 2016 are now essentially staging their own version of People Power, insisting that democracy is dead.

    They are a confusing bunch because they don’t follow a consistent ideology—they simply adapt their beliefs to fit their unwavering support for Duterte.

Coercion or Compromise

    I don't think they are being forcibly used for Duterte's agenda; rather, they are the ones driving it. These people will go on the offensive if they want to, doing whatever it takes to get others to join their cause.

Ego

    Well, yes—a lot, if not most, of his fanatical supporters have massive egos, and it shows. If it were just one supporter, it wouldn’t be as noticeable, but collectively, their egos feed off each other.

    It doesn’t take long for them to show off their arrogance, and the ways they do it can be disturbing. Sometimes, they flaunt death statistics from tragic events, and other times—well, it’s best left unsaid.

    Yes, they are who they are, and some people simply won’t change. You can’t convince them—the only way they might accept something is if you present proof that aligns with their agenda.

    This isn’t the first time these people have fallen for real facts and knowledge disguised as fake news just because it fits their beliefs. The best approach is to ignore them—but if you come across something truly damaging or if their statements could have serious consequences, then call them out.