Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS) is a name adopted by political hardliners who support the 16th
president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte,[1] whom they defend as a necessary strongman, to
refer to themselves.[2][3][4] The term was popularized during the 2016 presidential elections and
has since been used to refer to the most unquestioning (i.e., the diehards) among Duterte's
loyalists,[5] who wear it as a badge of honor and pride. The term commonly refers to a group of
people (including netizens) engaging in internet trolling and disruptive behaviour online to defend
Duterte.[6]
Its initialism, DDS, was taken directly from the Davao Death Squad—a vigilante group that had
existed in Davao City during Duterte's term as mayor.[7]